From November 25 to 26, 2024, the BATMACHINE Consortium gathered for its 3rd General Assembly in Braunschweig, Germany. This two-day gathering brought together project partners, members of the Advisory Board, and external experts who shared their valuable insights during the Sustainable Battery Production Workshop, led by our partners RWTH Aachen. Overall, the meeting was full of interesting takes and feedback that will strengthen BATMACHINE’s research to improve battery manufacturing through cutting-edge technology, while fostering sustainability.

Progress and Preparations: BATMACHINE on the way of Testing

BATMACHINE has reached an exciting juncture. After months of collaborative effort, the innovative machinery being developed within the project is approaching its test phase. In this regard, partners have been conducting rigorous test runs to assess performance and identify areas for refinement. These activities are crucial to ensuring that the developed solutions are not only efficient and effective, but also align with the project’s crucial commitment of fostering a more sustainable and competitive European battery industry. With testing slated to start soon, the Consortium’s collective expertise continue to drive progress. Key players in this phase will be POMEGA and LeClanché.

Key Discussions: 2nd Advisory Board Meeting and Sustainable Battery Production Workshop

Cell Production in Europe Workshop, led by RWTH Aachen

A highlight of the 3rd BATMACHINE General Assembly was the 2nd Advisory Board meeting, where project stakeholders engaged in constructive discussions with the experts within our Advisory Board. The session provided valuable external perspectives on the ongoing work, helping to fine-tune the project’s direction and objectives.

Another focal point of the event was the workshop titled “Cell Production in Europe: market-related aspects and innovation“. Organised by partners from RWTH Aachen, the workshop brought together distinguished speakers to explore the challenges and opportunities in European battery manufacturing. The session featured presentations by Prof. Keon Lee (Henkel AG & Co.), Noah Rieple (P-3 Group), Dr. Alice Hoffmann (Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg), and Christoph Baum (Fraunhofer-Institut, MANUGY GmbH). The invited speakers delved into the current landscape of energy storage in Europe, addressing critical topics such as the region’s competitive positioning in the global market, technological advancements, and the role of sustainability in shaping the future of battery production. The presentations sparked inspiring discussions among participants, highlighting the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving the industry forward.

Highlight from the workshop (onsite)

Highlight from the workshop (online view)

For those unable to attend, video highlights from the workshop will be available soon, offering a glimpse into the wealth of insights shared during the session. So, be sure to stay tuned with BATMACHINE to not miss them!

BATMACHINE at the International Battery Production Conference – IBPC 2024

Following the 3rd General Assembly, part of the BATMACHINE Consortium joined the International Battery Production Conference – IBPC 2024, which was also held in Braunschweig, from November 27th to 29th. The conferenced focused on exploring cutting-edge advancements in battery production and recycling.

In addition to joining the conference, our partners also engaged in disseminating the BATMACHINE research. Specifically, our partners SINTEF and LeClanché presented two posters: one about the dataspace that SINTEF has developed for the BATMACHINE machinery, while the other focuses on a study on the calendering, conducted by LeClanché. Moreover, POMEGA joined a session on slurry processing and showed how this process is handled within the project.

BATMACHINE partners at the IBPC 2024

A Glimpse into 2025

The 3rd General Assembly marked another milestone in the BATMACHINE project’s journey, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic planning. The event’s engaging discussions reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to delivering impactful outcomes. Looking ahead, the focus will shift towards the upcoming testing phase of the machinery, a crucial step in demonstrating the project’s potential to revolutionize battery manufacturing.

In addition to the progress made, the consortium is excited to announce the upcoming BATMACHINE Launch Event, scheduled for Spring 2025. This event will celebrate the project’s achievements and outline the path forward, with more details coming up in the following months.

As BATMACHINE continues to progress, our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration remains strong. The insights gained during the 3rd General Assembly will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the project’s next steps and its broader impact on the European battery manufacturing landscape.