The CircularLab, a critical component of the Battery LabFactory Braunschweig (BLB), a research center at TU Braunschweig, has officially opened its doors, marking a significant step in advancing research on the lifecycle and circular production of lithium-ion batteries. This new facility, alongside the existing ProductionLab and DiagnosisLab, positions BLB to cover various aspects of battery production and recycling, spanning from material synthesis to system development and recycling.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the CircularLab took place in October 2021, and the facility received its first systems in the autumn of 2022, culminating in its recent inauguration. The CircularLab boasts approximately 1,250 square meters of main floor space and was realized through an investment of three million euros, sourced from an ERDF fund from the state of Lower Saxony, the European Union, and TU Braunschweig. An additional ten million euros were contributed by federal and state governments to procure the plant technology and analytical equipment.
The primary mission of the CircularLab is to establish a closed cycle for battery materials, emphasizing sustainability and reducing dependency on critical raw materials. The core objectives encompass resource-efficient electrode and cell production, as well as efficient recycling processes. BLB is actively investigating and optimizing various production processes, including drying technologies, for electrode production on a pilot scale.
BLB is a prominent research institution for battery research in Germany and holds a pivotal role in the field. It leads two competence clusters under the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and coordinates a European network of pilot lines dedicated to lithium battery production. Beyond Europe, BLB collaborates with partners in countries such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and the USA.
Prof. Peter Hecker, Vice President for Research and Early Career Scientists at TU Braunschweig, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “With the Battery LabFactory, Braunschweig has become a center for energy storage research with national and international appeal. Today’s opening of the BLB’s CircularLab is a new milestone for us in the expansion of our infrastructure and our research, which will make a significant contribution to the energy transition and strengthen the economic power of our region.”
