Innovation meets sustainability in the heart of Europe’s battery revolution.

Sustainable and digitalized GIGAfactory for BATtery production with made-in-Europe machinery.

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Project

GIGABAT is a groundbreaking EU-funded project aiming to redefine the future of battery production, through integration, optimization, and validation of technologies.

Overview

The mission is clear: to lead the charge in developing Sustainable and Digitalized GIGAfactories for BAttery production, utilizing cutting-edge machinery made right here in Europe.

In an era where ecological transitions are crucial, GIGABAT is committed to consolidate Europe’s battery manufacturing value chain. The vision is to minimize emissions, optimize battery performance and cost, and ensure circularity in the production process.

By embracing digitalization and sustainability, GIGABAT aims to propel Europe towards a future where energy storage is both efficient and environmentally conscious.

Ambition

At the core of GIGABAT’s ambition lies the need to boost EU cell battery production capacity. With an eye on the EU’s 2030 targets, the project envisions an increase from the current 60 GWh to 900 GWh.

To achieve this ambitious feat, GIGABAT promotes EU-based machinery and providers: by valuing technological and industrial independence it is possible to redefine the landscape of battery production.

The seamless integration of local energy and materials supply chains is integral to the mission: GIGABAT envisions a dynamic local ecosystem where every component contributes to the efficiency and sustainability of the GIGAfactory, and where the standards for large-scale cell production in Europe are redefined.

GIGABAT’s main goal is to boost the European battery manufacturing industry. The GIGABAT consortium, coordinated by CIDETEC Energy Storage, aims to do this by working closely with key players to create high-quality and cost-effective batteries, specifically focusing on GEN3b (lithium-ion) technologies. Achieving this involves developing new energy-efficient machinery for battery manufacturing or adapting existing machinery to meet new battery specifications. Functional tests will take place at pilot plant scale to promote real-world conditions. GIGABAT is also focusing on integrating and optimizing Gigafactories through sector coupling, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, reducing carbon footprint, improving energy management, digitalization, and using machinery made in Europe.

CONSORTIUM

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Methodology

GIGABAT aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Gigafactories in Europe by fostering the development and integration of European equipment. This involves considering the global ecological impact and the economic cost associated with constructing Gigafactories.

With the contribution of PoweCo and Verkor, partners in the project, the plan is to establish up to 20 Gigafactories in Europe by 2030. The project has three main pillars:

Pillar 01

Made-in-Europe machinery

Focuses on developing machinery in Europe for cell manufacturing.

GIGABAT emphasizes the development of machinery within Europe for cell manufacturing. This involves incorporating new technologies into electrode production equipment to advance the current state-of-the-art. For enhanced efficiency, innovations include slurry mixers, infrared-based drying systems for coaters, and advanced sensorization of calendars for electrode pressing.

In the realm of electrode handling equipment tailored to Gigafactories, advancements encompass novel concepts and designs for roll-to-roll electrode post-drying, electrode cutting for flexible designs, and fast cell assembly machinery.

Moreover, GIGABAT seeks to adapt machinery to reduce operational costs related to filling and formation and develops technologies for clean scraps recycling.

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INTEGRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELECTRODE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
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ELETRODE HANDLING EQUIPMENT ADAPTED TO GF’S
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ADAPTING MACHINERY FOR LOWER FILLING AND FORMATION OPERAT. COST
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TECHNOLOGIES FOR CLEAN SCRAPS RECYCLING

Pillar 02

Towards a sustainable Gigafactory

Aims to make Gigafactories more sustainable, cost-effective, and digitalized through various innovations.

In the pursuit of more sustainable Gigafactories, the objective is to enhance the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the practices.

This involves the comprehensive digitalization of the entire cell manufacturing process, including the implementation of adapted sensorization for efficient digitalization, the integration of a digital twin for a competitive Gigafactory, and driving plant sustainability through digitalization.

Another critical aspect is optimizing logistics and material flow within the Gigafactory: GIGABAT optimizes logistics and introduces a battery passport in scaled-up Gigafactory environments.

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COMPLETE CELL MANUFACTURING PROCESS DIGITALIZATION
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ELETRODE HANDLING EQUIPMENT ADAPTED TO GF’S
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SUSTAINABLE EU GIGAFACTORIES

Pillar 03

Collaborative battery ecosystem

Aims to strengthen connections across the entire battery value chain by fostering collaboration

GIGABAT addresses the proposed innovations with the help of a key approach: to enhance battery manufacturing by fostering collaboration among industry players, creating an efficient ecosystem to meet the growing demand driven by the rise of electric vehicles.

By creating a virtual Gigafactory, the project brings together companies and organizations in a virtual space to test and understand the impact of the solutions, and to enhance internal communication and idea-sharing.

HOW
- Workshops
- Virtual living plant
WHO
- Material producers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Gigafactories
- Pilot plants
- Business developer
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