Pushing Ahead with Energy Transition Together

For more than five years, Canada has been intensifying its activities to use the country's raw material deposits responsibly for global supply chains. The minerals – including some critical materials – are essential for modern technologies, not only for batteries, but also for solar cells, semiconductors and wind turbines, for example. The Canadian Government aims to use these raw materials responsibly: from extraction and production to recycling. “We need strong cooperation partners to establish sustainable processes and supply chains,” emphasizes Cliff Singleton, Trade Officer at the Consulate of Canada in Munich. “Due to its strong battery ecosystem, Münster is a particularly attractive hub for joint projects.”

Combining Strengths – Developing Sustainable Processes

With MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster and further university working groups, Helmholtz Institute Münster of Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Fraunhofer FFB as well as strong international industrial companies, Münster has established itself as a hotspot for battery research and development. More than 500 players are working on the production of sustainable battery systems. Local institutions such as the Technology Promotion Agency Münster and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Nord Westfalen continuously support this development.

Dr. Falko Schappacher, Managing Director of MEET Battery Research Center, identifies enormous potential in the collaboration: “Canada is rapidly becoming an important and reliable supplier of battery raw materials. With our expertise in materials research, analytics, battery cell production and its scaling-up, we can support Canada in further strengthening this position.” Discussed cooperation opportunities will now be further specified and transferred into project ideas. After getting to know MEET and the Fraunhofer FFB, the Canadian delegation was able to gain impressions of the construction progress during the subsequent tour of the "PreFab" construction site in the Hansa-BusinessPark in Münster-Amelsbüren. The modern production facilities and laboratories on site will contribute to the efficient and sustainable production of battery cells.