The project has been initialized by industry network KLiB (Kompetenznetzwerk Lithium-Ionen-Batterien). KLiB counts numerous companies along the entire battery production value chain to its members, including BASF, BMW, Bosch, Daimler, Dow, SB Limotive, Siemens and Varta.

The project aims at industrial-grade production processes for large Li-ion batteries. At the same time, it offers the chance to validate new materials and production techniques as well as methods for quality assurance. "This research production line will close the gap between manufacturing at the laboratory level and serial production," explained KLiB chairman Hubert Jäger. "This is a central requirement of the German Electromobility Platform. Within the KLiB a number of working groups have been formed with focus on each stage of the value chain - for instance materials for anode, cathode, separator and electrolytes, automation technology, cell production, and battery production. According to a joint press release of ZSW and KLiB, the project represents the first opportunity in Germany for all companies involved to access a value chain-spanning R&D platform that completes in-house R&D efforts.

The project is funded in part by the federal German research ministry with 23.5 million euros.

For more information visit www.klib-org.de