Press releases

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB and the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University invite you to the first “Battery Production Days” (BPD) in Münster on October 21 and 22. The conference and trade fair, which is expected to attract around 250 participants, will alternate between Münster and Aachen in the future.

Minister Neubaur, Minister Brandes, State Secretary Jungk and representatives of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft lay the foundation stone for the second construction phase of the Research Fabrication Battery Cell.

A team led by Prof Simon Lux has analysed the future energy demand associated with the EU's goal of strengthening local battery supply chains in Europe. According to their projections, Europe will have to generate significant amounts of energy for local battery cell production.

In February 2026, the eleven-day university certificate course “Innovationen Batterietechnologie: Batterieproduktion & Nachhaltigkei” will be launched for the first time – a joint continuing education program by FH Münster and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB.

According to a recent study by Fraunhofer FFB and the University of Münster, sodium-ion batteries are on the verge of industrial mass production. They already offer a viable and sustainable alternative, especially for applications with lower energy density requirements. Expected material optimizations could lead to sodium-ion batteries also being used in electric vehicles in the coming years.

A research team from the University of Münster, the Fraunhofer Research Manufacturing Battery Cell facility, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA)has analyzed different strategies for handling end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles, using California as a case study. The findings show that repurposing used batteries as stationary energy storage systems is more effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the long term than immediate recycling. Especially in countries with a high share of renewable energy, second-life battery use, such as for power grid stabilization and improved integration of solar and wind power, holds significant potential.

Lithium is an essential raw material for the production of modern batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops. In the current white paper “Battery Raw Material Lithium,” Fraunhofer FFB examines global lithium deposits and industrial extraction processes, highlights ecological impacts, and identifies potential for sustainable production and recycling strategies.

Start-ups in the field of renewable energies are seen as a key driver of the energy transition. In 2024, 1.2 billion euros in venture capital was invested in German energy start-ups, more than in any other technology field. A research team from Fraunhofer FFB and the University of Münster has investigated the factors that determine the success of entrepreneurial initiatives in this field, the hurdles they encounter and how investments can be translated into a measurable climate impact.

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB has started the new “KOOP” project together with the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University and mixing technology specialist “hs·tumbler”. The aim of the project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, is to accelerate the industrialization of innovative production and battery technologies. For the next three years, the partners will deal with the systematization of collaboration between innovative companies or research institutions and the Fraunhofer FFB on the basis of a specific use case.

Fraunhofer FFB has developed solutions for the planning of future battery factories together with the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University and ten industrial partners from Germany and abroad. As part of an international consortium study, strategies have been developed to help overcome currently known challenges in the design of new gigafactories.

The battery technologies of the future will play a central role in the energy and mobility transition. To investigate global competition in this field, a research team from Fraunhofer FFB and Cambridge and the University of Münster compared patents and innovation strategies from different countries on next-generation battery technologies for electric vehicles.

Fraunhofer FFB and Kerkhoff, part of Interpath have formed a strategic alliance to support companies in the cost-optimized procurement of battery cells. The core of the cooperation is a jointly developed cost modeling system that brings transparency to complex price structures. The alliance offers industrial customers systematic preparation and implementation of demanding supplier negotiations and provides concrete solutions for maximum efficiency at the lowest cost in development and planning processes for products and production.

Fraunhofer FFB will be exhibiting for the first time this year with its booth at Battery Show Europe, the largest trade fair and conference for advanced battery manufacturing and technology. From June 3 to 5, 2025, visitors in Stuttgart will have the opportunity to learn all about the latest developments in plant engineering, sustainable battery technologies, and the industrialization of innovative product and production processes.

The construction of the “FFB Fab” marks the beginning of the second construction phase of the large-scale research facility in Münster-Amelsbüren. Modern production and research facilities covering an area of 20,000 square meters will be created, enabling industry-oriented production research and development in the gigawatt range. Completion of the construction phase is scheduled for the end of 2027. At the same time, the research operations are being set up in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The development of the research production facility for battery cells (FFB) as a central element of a technologically advanced and competitive battery value chain in Germany and Europe is thus entering its final phase.

Digital solutions for battery cell production play an important role in increasing efficiency and ensuring quality in production. The Fraunhofer FFB has started the three-year “TRAICELL” project with several partners from research and industry. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is concerned with the traceability of crucial data and with artificial intelligence to optimize battery cell production.

A comprehensive energy and mobility transition requires innovative, technology-driven solutions along the entire value chain of batteries and battery technologies. The 17th edition of the international conference "Kraftwerk Batterie – Advanced Battery Power", taking place from April 2 to April 3, 2025, in Aachen, will provide new insights into these developments. As an English-language networking platform, the conference at the Eurogress Congress Center brings together experts from research, development, and application, offering cross-industry insights into the latest advancements and innovations.

The efficient and scalable production of battery cells and packs plays a crucial role in the future of e-mobility. Together with eight partner companies, the Fraunhofer FFB is presenting innovative solutions for industrial battery cell and pack production at the world's largest industrial trade fair (March 31 to April 4, 2025, Hall 6, Booth D62). A model manufacturing process will demonstrate how robot-assisted technologies can optimize production.

Electrode-drying using the roll-to-roll process (R2R) has been one of the most cost- and CO2-intensive manufacturing steps in the production of lithium-ion batteries to date. A laser-assisted R2R drying process, which was developed as part of the IDEEL research cooperation, could change this in the future. It combines conventional, oven-based convection drying with laser drying based on high-power diode lasers and reduces the drying time by over 60 percent while maintaining the same quality of results.

Producing batteries for electric cars requires a complex and globally networked supply chain. In a recent study, researchers from Fraunhofer FFB and the University of Münster analyzed the ownership structures and geopolitical dependencies along this supply chain. The result: China controls almost the entire value chain of lithium-ion batteries - from the extraction of raw materials to the production of the batteries. The People's Republic not only controls domestic production facilities but also those abroad - for all raw materials and downstream processes. No other region globally has comparable control along the entire battery supply chain.

In the ‘SkaleD’ project, five research partners from industry and research are further developing a process that directly coats electrodes in industrial battery cell production. This will reduce the costs and resources used in the mass production of lithium iron phosphate cells, replace solvent-intensive processes, and create the conditions for a sustainable energy transition as well as for European competitiveness in relation to Asian markets.

The project "Sodium-Ion-Battery Deutschland-Forschung - SIB:DE FORSCHUNG", funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), aims to evaluate the suitability of sodium-ion battery technology (SIB) for the European energy and mobility transition to speed up industrial implementation. To this end, 21 national partners from science and industry are pooling their expertise from battery material development to the production of large-format cells to enable the fast transfer of research results into practical applications.

For the operation of the first research factory, the “FFB PreFab”, the Fraunhofer FFB has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the "Stadtwerke Münster". Starting November 1, 2025, the municipal utility company will supply 6.36 gigawatt hours of regional green electricity annually via a direct connection to the Fraunhofer FFB. The electricity will come from the first agri-photovoltaic system in Münster, which is being built southwest of the Amelsbüren district in Hartmannsbrock Street.

As the year draws to a close, we look back on a period full of dynamism, innovation and growth. It is a moment to pause and reflect on the progress we have made together. On behalf of the entire Fraunhofer FFB, we wish you a happy and relaxing festive season and a happy new year!

Up to 200 players from research and industry are expected to attend the 2024 “Week of Electric Mobility” from October 21st to 25th and the 12th edition of the “Electric Vehicle Production Days” (EPT) on October 23rd and 24th in Aachen to discuss challenges and trends in the field of batteries, fuel cells and hydrogen technologies, as well as electric motors. At the event, organized by the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production (FFB), the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University and the Campus Forum, around 80 companies will present innovations in eight themed sessions and at an accompanying exhibition.

The ramp-up phase of a gigafactory for the production of battery cells, modules and packs for electromobility and other applications is crucial to its subsequent success. In the jointly published white paper “Mastering Ramp-up of Battery Production”, Fraunhofer FFB and the Chair of “Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components« (PEM) at the RWTH Aachen University provide information on strategies and resources for an efficient and successful ramp-up of a gigafactory.

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB (Fraunhofer FFB) and the engineering service provider PEM Motion GmbH have signed a Letter of Intent confirming their plans to advance technological developments in battery cell production through joint research and development activities.

Whether in drones, laptops or electric cars, battery cells can be found in numerous devices that make our everyday lives easier and more efficient. At this year's "A-level ... and now?" information day on Wednesday, May 22nd, organized by the Chemistry Student Group at the University of Münster, students were given an insight into the world of research. The focus was not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on an experiment that illustrated how a battery works.

Today in Münster, a significant step was taken in the research and production of sustainable, resource-efficient battery cells with the inauguration of the first phase of the Fraunhofer Research Fabrication Battery Cell FFB, known as "FFB PreFab". Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister-President Hendrik Wüst, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft President Prof. Holger Hanselka opened the facility, which spans approximately 6,800 square meters of research space. With this launch, Fraunhofer FFB begins research activities at the site, utilizing cutting-edge European machinery technology.

Digitalization makes the production of batteries for electric vehicles cheaper and cleaner. This is a key finding of a new research report Fraunhofer FFB and Accenture are presenting at Hannover Messe 2024. Leveraging digital solutions, a battery cell factory with an annual capacity of 40 gigawatt hours can save up to 27 million euros and reduce its emissions by nearly 10% per year.

Münster. The Fraunhofer FFB has started the fourth sub-project of the "Research Production of Battery Cells" project ("FoFeBat" TP4). Together with other partners, including the Chair of “Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components” (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, the University of Münster and other Fraunhofer institutes, Fraunhofer FFB is working on the integration of key technologies for sustainable and efficient battery cell factories of the future in this research project. Solid-state batteries are taking centre stage.