PowerCo SE, in partnership with Koenig & Bauer AG, introduces a game-changing dry coating procedure set to revolutionize battery cell production by increasing efficiency and reducing energy consumption and production costs.
What’s Happening
PowerCo SE, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, is set to implement a transformative dry coating process in its battery cell manufacturing plants across Europe and North America. The advanced technology promises enhanced efficiency and sustainability in volume battery cell production, marking a significant leap in the field. The dry coating procedure, developed alongside global printing machine specialist Koenig & Bauer AG, seeks to reduce energy usage by 30%, as substantiated by successful internal tests.
Why It Matters
This development is a major step towards sustainable and cost-effective battery production. The partnership between PowerCo and Koenig & Bauer aims to industrialize the dry coating process, which eliminates the most energy-intensive part of cell manufacturing and the need for chemical solvents. Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member for Technology at Volkswagen AG, emphasizes the critical role of such technologies in elevating PowerCo’s industrial prowess and customer value.
Key Points
The key innovation of the dry coating process involves the direct calendaring of powdery basic materials onto foils, resulting in a notably thin layer that bolsters spatial energy density and extends the battery’s lifecycle. Not only does this process cut energy consumption by 30%, it also reduces the required floor space by 15%. PowerCo estimates the annual savings to be in the hundreds of millions of Euros. The introduction of this new procedure will position PowerCo uniquely in the market, providing it with definite competitive advantages.
Bottom Line
The forthcoming dry coating procedure by PowerCo stands to revolutionize the battery production sector with significant benefits such as lower energy usage, reduced manufacturing costs, and higher production efficiency. This technology is not only pivotal in PowerCo’s drive for sustainability and affordability but also underscores their commitment to spearhead innovations in the battery industry. As per PowerCo’s projections, large scale production will commence in 2026/2027.
