Münster/Aachen. Fraunhofer FFB will operate two battery research factories in “BatteryCityMünster”: the already opened “FFB PreFab” and the “FFB Fab,” for which the foundation stone was recently laid.

Testing, developing, and bringing innovations to market

As a special highlight, the organizers are offering participants in the BPD event exclusive insights into “FFB PreFab,” where pilot projects are being scaled up to industrial level on approximately 6,500 square meters. The offer includes four thematically curated tours designed to provide information about forward-looking European machine technology, real manufacturing environments, and current innovation projects. “With ‘FFB PreFab,’ we are creating an environment where industry, research, and development come together and where companies can test, trial, and further develop their innovations in a practical setting, thereby bringing them to market more quickly,” says Dr. Florian Degen, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Fraunhofer FFB.

Four guided themed tours through the “FFB PreFab”

During the tour focusing on technical building equipment, FFB employees demonstrate how the central infrastructure system of the “FFB PreFab” contributes to the energy efficiency and operational safety of research production with modern dehumidification, recovery, and cooling systems. The tour of the electrode production facility provides insights into the electrode manufacturing process chain – from the warehouse and hazardous materials handling to mixing, coating, drying, calendering, and slitting. Participants will learn how these components are turned into functional battery cells during the tour of the cell assembly and forming facility, which highlights the process steps from forming to “end-of-line”-testing. A tour of the laboratories, where specialists from various research institutions work together on solutions for quality assurance and the development of next-generation cells, will also offer unusual perspectives.

Information and registration for the Battery Production Days

This major project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The federal government is providing Fraunhofer FFB with up to €500 million for research facilities and projects, while the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is providing up to €320 million for land and new buildings. The Chair PEM of the RWTH Aachen operates a clean room and dry room area there in one of a total of five innovation laboratories.

Information on registration and the program is available on the official Battery Production Days website.