Author name: Cornelius Karow

The Chinese technology company Lead Intelligent Equipment (LEAD) and the German industrial software company Dassault Systèmes have signed an agreement on a global strategic cooperation. Aim of the cooperation is to drive innovation in digitalization and intelligent manufacturing. The collaboration will focus on using Dassault Systèmes’ digital platform to enhance LEAD’s lithium cell production solutions. At this year’s World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference, LEAD presented its vision of a future global collaborative R&D and procurement system. LEAD showcased solutions that include integration with Dassault Systèmes’ digital platform. While no further information was given about the details of the collaboration, the companies emphasized their commitment to a “long-term, stable, and mutually beneficial partnership”. Source: https://www.pressebox.com/pressrelease/lead-intelligent-equipment/lead-intelligent-equipment-and-dassault-systemes-forge-global-strategic-cooperation-at-the-2023-world-manufacturing-conference/boxid/1183534

Volkswagen plans to build a battery factory in Sagunt, Spain, with an initial investment of more than €3 billion, which could rise to up to €4.5 billion in a second phase.  Start of production in 2026 This investment is part of VW’s “Future: fast forward” project, which plans to invest €10 billion in Spain. The aim is to advance the electrification of the VW plants in Landaben (Navarra) and Martorell (Barcelona). The planned Gigafactory in Sagunt is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 40 GWh, producing batteries for 800,000 electric vehicles per year. Initial production is expected to begin as early as 2026. The battery factory is expected to create around 3,300 direct jobs and a further 10,000 indirect jobs once construction is completed and battery production begins. VW is working closely with Iberdrola, one of Spain’s largest energy providers, to power the Gigafactory. Iberdrola plans to build a mega solar plant that will provide 30 percent of the battery factory’s energy needs. Source: https://www.levante-emv.com/el-mercantil-valenciano/2023/12/17/lluvia-millones-reconversion-industrial-sagunt-95925889.html

Volkswagen subsidiary PowerCo SE is preparing the site of its Canadian gigafactory for the start of construction next year. The annual production capacity will be up to 90 gigawatt-hours.

NV Gotion has produced its first battery pack in Thailand. Based on a lithium iron phosphate chemistry, it provides electric vehicles with a range of 400 kilometers.

Battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution is to supply around 200,000 battery modules to public transport battery system provider Impact Clean Power Technology (ICPT) over the next three years.