Italian automation specialist Comau has inaugurated a dedicated dry room laboratory at its headquarters in Grugliasco, aimed at enhancing its battery cell production capabilities and accelerating the development of next-generation lithium-based technologies.
The new facility, with an investment of nearly one million euros, is equipped with three proto-test stations—two operating at a dew point of -40 °C and one at -50 °C—and includes the company’s Racer 5 Sensitive Environments robot. The laboratory is open not only to Comau’s internal Global Competence Centre, staffed by more than 40 engineers, but also to customers, academic institutions, and industry associations.
With the launch of this dry room, Comau is expanding its efforts in end-to-end battery solutions, including lithium-ion and lithium-metal technologies. The company confirmed that it also aims to gain access to solid-state battery technologies, positioning the facility as a key step in accelerating both innovation and commercialization.
“As recently demonstrated by the launch of a new full line of Cobots and AMRs, as well as welding technologies, Comau continues to invest in research and development across all of its strategic sectors, including e-Mobility,” said CEO Pietro Gorlier. He added that the dry room would support experimentation with new battery cell formats and materials in a controlled, humidity-free environment, reinforcing Comau’s commitment to innovation and its presence in Italy.
Comau recently entered into a partnership with U.S.-based Intecells to explore the use of cold plasma in battery cell manufacturing, targeting a reduction in the use of solvents and binders. The company also introduced a small-scale cell molding platform in June and remains active in European initiatives such as the BATTwin project and the Reinforce battery recycling program, despite Stellantis withdrawing as a shareholder earlier this year.