Belgium-based Umicore has officially inaugurated its latest facility in Olen, Belgium, dedicated to the production of solid-state battery prototypes. The company has established the facility, spanning 600 square meters, as a large-scale prototyping center specifically designed for the development of solid-state battery materials.
Umicore’s venture into this domain does not come as a surprise, considering its ongoing efforts in solid-state battery chemistries since 2017, bolstered by strategic investments and collaborations. By repurposing an existing building in Olen, the company has created a comprehensive research and development center that encompasses all stages of solid-state battery development, ranging from material formulation and characterization to battery cell assembly and subsequent testing.
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A key focus of the facility is the advancement of new material categories, including catholytes that combine active cathode materials with solid electrolytes. Umicore emphasizes that the development of solid-state batteries necessitates a specialized infrastructure due to the materials’ extreme sensitivity to moisture. To cater to these requirements, the facility maintains humidity levels below 0.1% by circulating 200,000 cubic meters of exceptionally dry air each hour. This environment facilitates accurate testing, analysis, and the development of cathode active materials.
Unlike traditional restrictive glove boxes, the spacious open area within Umicore’s laboratory allows researchers to manipulate products more freely. This setup encourages collaboration and enhances the efficiency of experimentation.
Umicore has been deeply involved in solid-state technology since 2017 and currently holds several key patents in the field. Notably, the company acquired three nickel-manganese-cobalt patent families from 3M in 2017, expanding its expertise in cathode materials. In May 2021, Umicore entered a non-exclusive patent cross-licensing agreement with BASF, encompassing a broad range of cathode materials and precursors. This agreement includes over 100 patent families filed across Europe, the United States, China, Korea, and Japan.
In mid-2021, Umicore further solidified its position by acquiring a stake in the US solid-state battery specialist, Solid Power. Additionally, the company formed a collaboration with the Japanese energy firm, Idemitsu Kosan, in 2022, with a focus on joint development of high-performance materials for solid-state batteries.
Now, Umicore has consolidated its solid-state battery development efforts at the cutting-edge center in Olen. Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore, expresses his confidence in the facility, stating that it will significantly bolster the company’s leadership in solid-state battery chemistries. The prototyping center’s establishment marks a critical milestone in expanding Umicore’s capacity for innovation, technology advancement, and customer support, with a multiplication factor of over ten.
Umicore’s battery materials portfolio primarily comprises NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) technologies featuring medium to high nickel content. In the near future, the company plans to introduce manganese-rich HLM (high lithium, manganese) technologies, followed by Na-ion cathodes (sodium-ion) and solid-state battery technologies. With its continued dedication to advancements in battery chemistry, Umicore remains at the forefront of the cathode materials industry.
