Author name: Cornelius Karow

ProLogium and Rimac Technology say they have completed a concept mockup for a new electric vehicle battery. It is scheduled to be displayed at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. A fully functional battery pack is planned for the second half of 2027, followed by vehicle and road testing in the second half of 2028. The collaboration is based on a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2025. ProLogium contributes its cell technology, while Rimac develops its integration into the battery system. Cell-to-Pack: Integration Still Needs Validation The project centers on a cell-to-pack architecture using pouch cells. Rimac says it is developing scalable integration technology for solid-state cells. Areas under evaluation include thermal management, cell swelling management, and cell integration. According to Rimac, several approaches are being evaluated in parallel. Some target higher energy density and lower weight, while others focus on performance. Rimac also aims to simplify the design and combine functions while taking costs into account. Following successful validation in a vehicle, the company expects weight savings and improvements in efficiency and range. Under the current development roadmap, a functional battery segment is scheduled to be presented at CES 2027. A complete battery pack and vehicle testing are planned to follow in the second half of 2028. Source:https://prologium.com/prologium-and-rimac-technology-advance-next-generation-ev-battery-development/

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft opened the new building for its Center for Energy Storage and Systems ZESS in Braunschweig on October 5, 2026. The center will further develop next-generation solid-state batteries and hydrogen technologies for industrial applications. Germany’s federal government and the state of Lower Saxony invested approximately €49.85 million in the research facility. The building spans approximately 3,300 square meters, including around 1,750 square meters of laboratory space and a 450-square-meter dry room. The infrastructure is intended to support the development of new energy storage technologies and technology transfer. Battery Research Across the Entire Process Chain Research on solid-state batteries spans new materials, production technologies, and industrial scale-up. Sustainability and the circular economy are also part of the research approach. The goal is to develop safe and sustainable battery technologies. ZESS brings together the expertise of the Fraunhofer Institutes for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, and Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS. The center also collaborates with industry partners and Technische Universität Braunschweig. The university’s Battery LabFactory and Center for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells complement the research environment. In addition to batteries, ZESS researches hydrogen technologies. This work also aims to further develop materials and production processes for industrial applications, taking economic and environmental factors into account. Source:https://www.ist.fraunhofer.de/en/press-media/2026/fraunhofer-zess-strengthens-technology-transfer-and-sustainable-energy-storage-research-in-germany.html

Toyota opened a new battery development center in Saline, Michigan, on October 1, 2026. The Toyota Battery Center of North America is intended to support battery development and testing for various vehicle powertrains. The approximately 30,000-square-foot facility is located on Toyota’s research and development campus. It centralizes the evaluation of battery technologies and works with the company’s North American manufacturing network. This includes Toyota Battery Manufacturing in North Carolina and Toyota’s vehicle manufacturing plants across North America. Battery Testing for Different Powertrains According to the company, the center covers the entire development cycle, from sourcing raw materials to vehicle applications and recycling. Engineers and technicians will characterize batteries and develop new technologies at the facility. Toyota identifies hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen-powered, and fully electric vehicles as potential applications. The center therefore supports the automaker’s approach of pursuing several powertrain technologies in parallel. Research Access for the University of Michigan Toyota plans to open access to the facility and its research capabilities in collaboration with the University of Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Center. Other research partners will also be able to use its testing and evaluation capabilities. Toyota is a founding member of the Electric Vehicle Center. The collaboration is also intended to support the training of future battery engineers and technicians in Michigan. Source:https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-battery-center-of-north-america-unveiled-at-michigan-rd-campus/

The Fraunhofer Battery Alliance and South Korean partners plan to collaborate more closely on battery technologies, manufacturing processes, and recycling. They signed two memoranda of understanding at Fraunhofer FFB in Münster. The partners include the Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), and the City of Pohang. Focus on Battery Materials, Cell Manufacturing, and Recycling The planned research with POSTECH and the City of Pohang ranges from materials for lithium-ion batteries to next-generation batteries. It also covers cell technologies, manufacturing processes, recycling, and the circular economy. Pohang plans to provide administrative and funding policy support for collaboration with local companies and international research partnerships. The collaboration with K-eco focuses on recycling end-of-life batteries. The partners also plan to investigate certification and quality assurance procedures for recovered battery materials. Additional research approaches are intended to support compliance with the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. During a seminar in Münster, the participants exchanged information about their research. They also discussed approaches for future joint projects. Testing Under Industrial Conditions in Münster The South Korean delegation also toured FFB PreFab in Münster-Amelsbüren. According to Fraunhofer, the facility provides research infrastructure for battery cell production under conditions close to those used in industry. The equipment is intended to enable testing of new cell concepts, battery materials, and manufacturing processes under realistic operating conditions. The goal is to assess their industrial scalability early and prepare for the transition to high-volume manufacturing. Source:https://www.ffb.fraunhofer.de/en/press/news/Two_Memorandums_Of_Understanding_One_Goal.html

The PEM Chair at RWTH Aachen University is developing processes for the scalable production of multilayer battery electrodes as part of the ProMeBa research project. The project began in June 2026 with partners from research and industry and will run through May 2029. It aims to develop process and equipment solutions that enable industrial production. The electrodes are intended to improve the performance and service life of lithium-ion batteries. From Electrode Design to Pilot Production Multilayer electrodes combine different material and structural properties. This approach is intended to improve ion transport, mechanical stability, and electrochemical performance. The project is therefore investigating materials and layer architectures for anodes and cathodes. Key parameters include the number of layers, their thickness, and changes in material composition between layers. PEM is responsible for developing multilayer anodes and characterizing them in the laboratory. This involves adjusting coating slurry formulations as well as coating and drying conditions. The results will then be transferred to pilot production lines. A modular coating unit is being developed for integration into existing equipment. Two-layer slot-die coating and multilayer curtain coating will be compared under industrially relevant roll-to-roll conditions. The focus is on coating quality, process stability, and scalability. Inline Measurement to Support Quality Assurance In parallel, an inline measurement system is being further developed to continuously monitor the viscosity of coating slurries. It is intended to detect deviations early during production and support consistent electrode quality. Electrochemical testing of electrodes and test cells will provide insight into the performance and stability of the multilayer structures. NETZSCH-Gerätebau coordinates the project under the BMFTR’s B@TS funding call. Other partners include RWTH’s PEM and ISEA chairs, Fraunhofer IKTS, the iPAT Institute at TU Braunschweig, and 8inks Deutschland. Source:https://www.pem.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/buzbym#aaaaaaaaabuzcir