Federal Minister of Research Anja Karliczek unveiled the “ Battery Research Factory ” umbrella concept at the German Battery Forum in Berlin. Over the next four years, the Federal Ministry of Research intends to invest EUR 500 million in securing Germany’s technological leadership in battery technology. The money is to flow into the entire value creation chain, from materials research, through the design of cells and processes, to production research for industrial battery cell production. The aim is to accelerate the transfer of new battery concepts and production processes into practice. Companies will also have the opportunity to test their concepts for suitability for mass production.

The location will be selected by mid 2019. A consortium of manufacturers of lithium ion cells and battery systems – BMZ Group / TerraE , Custom Cells , EAS Batteries , Leclanché and Liacon – will be supporting the project actively, as confirmed in a Memorandum of Understanding.