CSEM to build Switzerland’s first battery drying room
CSEM writes that the facility will play “a crucial role in fast-tracking the commercialization of next-generation batteries.” “CSEM’s dry room isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a key enabler for proving the industrial viability of the technologies developed within our Battery Innovation Hub,” explains Andrea Ingenito, Co-Director of the Battery Innovation Hub.
A dry room with very precisely controllable and reproducible environmental conditions is very important in battery production. This is due, for example, to the important battery material lithium, which reacts very sensitively to moisture. In the drying room, an extremely low dew point of -50 °Celsius should provide ‘optimum conditions’ for lithium processing. It will also be equipped with a pilot line for assembling pouch cells, which should significantly accelerate the market maturity of new battery technologies.
At 37 square metres, the CSEM’s drying room is very small compared to facilities for commercial battery production, but Switzerland is also involved in research and development – for which the facility should be more than sufficient. CSEM is opening up part of the drying room specifically for start-ups and SMEs to make it easier for them to access state-of-the-art infrastructure and reduce innovation risks. “Additionally, a flexible 10-square-meter section is reserved for start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing them with direct access to high-tech infrastructure. By opening part of the dry room to start-ups and SMEs, CSEM is giving smaller companies an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the risks and costs associated with developing next-generation battery technology,” explains CSEM.
A pilot line for the assembly of pouch cells is also planned in the drying room. Prototype cells with a capacity of up to five Ah are to be produced there. The Swiss are primarily interested in solid-state batteries. “New materials and manufacturing techniques present a unique opportunity to rebuild Europe’s battery industry,” emphasises Andrea Ingenito. “While mass production of solid-state batteries is still a few years away, Switzerland must act now and stay ahead in this strategic market.”
0 Comments