German battery manufacturer CustomCells will establish a pilot production line for round battery cells in Tübingen as part of Baden-Württemberg’s “Innovation and Future Agenda,” a state-backed initiative aimed at strengthening battery research and production. The project, which will receive eight million euros in state funding, seeks to advance the design, manufacturing capabilities, and digitalization of large-format 46-millimeter round cells.
“With this project, CustomCells positions itself as one of the few European players in a strategically important segment of battery technology,” said Christoph Falk, COO of CustomCells. “Research and production in Baden-Württemberg not only ensures technological leadership but also industrial value creation in Germany.”
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The initiative involves scientific institutions such as the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (Fraunhofer IPA), and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The project partners selected the 46-millimeter round cell format due to its “highly versatile” nature, citing its strong construction, efficient heat dissipation, and high energy density.
“Battery storage systems play a central role in the structural change of the automotive industry,” said Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut. “As the state government, we have decided to support battery research with eight million euros through the practice-oriented ‘Roundabout’ research project.”
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The pilot plant in Tübingen will focus on both laboratory-scale cell development and scaling up for industrial production. Science Minister Petra Olschowski highlighted the importance of continued investment in research and development, stating, “Research creates innovation, innovation creates the future.”