Press releases

Münster/Hamburg. The exponentially growing demand for battery cells , which are a key technology for electromobility and the storage of renewable energy, can only be met if production is ramped up over the next few years. However, the construction of a gigafactory poses particular challenges for factory planning. In order to reduce risks and simplify commissioning, Metroplan and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB have developed a framework for planning and implementing battery factories in line with requirements. To this end, the development process of a battery factory, from the search for a location to stable production operation, was divided into four main phases, for each of which the core challenges are identified and dedicated solution approaches are described. The aim is always to optimize the four main criteria of quality, costs, sustainability and flexibility. The key messages from this development process are now being published in a joint white paper. The publication, entitled "Requirements-based factory planning in the battery production environment", is rounded off with a current practical example in which some of the tools developed were applied and their effectiveness validated.

Aachen/München/Münster. The “Technology Cluster Battery Cell”, brings together research institutions and industrial players to create new methods and toolchains to accelerate the end-to-end process of battery cell development through to scaled production.

Münster. The expansion and intensification of strategic cooperation in the field of battery cell production: This is the goal of the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Nord Westfalen) and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB. On 6 November 2023, both partners confirmed their future cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB and the FH Münster are taking a joint approach to imparting knowledge on battery production: For the first time, Fraunhofer FFB researchers are teaching students at the FH Münster the basics of battery research in a series of lectures.

With the current state of product and production technology, the electricity demand of all battery factories planned worldwide in 2040 will be 130,000 GWh per year, equivalent to the current electricity consumption of Norway or Sweden - this is the conclusion of a study by the research team led by Dr. Florian Degen of the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB, the MEET of the University of Münster, the Helmholtz Institute Münster and the University of Münster. However, new product and production technologies can optimize battery cell production to achieve savings of up to 66 percent, equivalent to the energy consumption of Belgium or Finland (in 2021). These groundbreaking results have now been published in the world-renowned journal “Nature Energy”.

Münster. The first #BatteryCityMünster PhD Day offered doctoral students a platform for cross-institutional exchange for the first time – more than 100 doctoral students did not miss this opportunity. A successful start!

Münster. On Tuesday, August 8th, the Managing Directors of Fraunhofer FFB welcomed the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, in Münster. The focus of the visit was on the topic of sustainable battery storage production and the construction progress of the "FFB PreFab" in the Hansa-BusinessPark.

Münster. The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB and the Technologieförderung Münster GmbH (TFM) stakeholders aim to enhance #BatteryCityMünster by collaborating more closely. By signing a letter of intent, both partners have agreed to boost their strategic cooperation and networking in the battery systems and production field. This move aims to make Münster a top destination for battery research in Europe.

Münster. During her visit to the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB facility on July 12, 2023, NRW State Secretary Silke Krebs and Institute Director Prof. Dr. Simon Lux talked about research into the development and production of economically and ecologically sustainable battery cells at the Münster site. The appointment focused on a tour of the construction progress in the "FFB PreFab", the first building of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

Lighter, more durable, more resistant - Do these properties of plastic piping systems also apply to their use in battery cell production? The Fraunhofer FFB, in cooperation with GF Piping Systems, has published a white paper entitled "Plastic piping in battery cell production. A potential analysis for production systems and buildings". It identifies and analyzes potential applications for plastic piping in battery cell production. The whitepaper is the result of a pre-viously conducted study.