Germany, a leading automotive powerhouse, is embarking on a research project to support battery cell production and implementing various measures to extend the secondary life of batteries.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT's Science, Technology and ICT Trends No. 213, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWI) began supporting a number of projects in March based on a bill to support research funding related to the battery ecosystem.

In February of last year, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection announced the 'Priority Support Research for Battery Cell Production' project and secured a budget of 150 million euros.

Batteries are essential for the expansion of electric mobility, and the market for mobile and stationary battery storage devices has shown rapid growth for several years. Accordingly, the prevailing opinion is that the sustainability of batteries should be improved through eco-friendly production and disposal processes and recycling of essential raw materials.

Opportunities for innovative ideas and products across the battery technology value chain must be seized. The success of the energy transition hinges on continued research and development and market commercialization, requiring strategies at the EU and national levels.

The Intergovernmental Project on Convergence and Energy Information (IPCEI), spearheaded by the European Union, is expected to contribute to establishing a sustainable battery mass production system.

Among them, Germany's 7th Research Energy Program provides opportunities for the development of stationary and mobile battery storage systems and batteries specialized in electrochemical fields.

Germany will likely continue to review and support single-institution or consortium projects in the following four research and development sectors for the time being.

■ Sustainable batteries

The goal is to implement various measures to extend the secondary lifespan, increase battery collection rates, and improve recycling efficiency. Research into alternative materials and external dependence on raw materials can be reduced, and energy efficiency is also expected to improve in the battery production and distribution process.

■ Digitizing the Battery Value-Added Cycle

The goal is to improve overall equipment efficiency in the battery cell and module production process, including improving the efficiency of the recycling process and enhancing the safety of battery cell and module quality.

■ Establishing innovative testing and certification procedures

△Finished battery products △Battery components △Production processes △Recycling processes △Improvements in monitoring, testing, and certification methodologies will be demonstrated and improved, focusing on △Increased operation speed △Enhanced processing capacity △Environmental protection △Improvements in resource efficiency and safety through new testing procedures and implementations.

■ Application of next-generation battery cell technology

We will demonstrate battery systems based on next-generation battery cells, thermal management systems for next-generation batteries, innovative packaging technologies, and systems and software for battery cell management. We will develop and demonstrate techniques to improve various performance indicators of commercialized battery technologies. We will also demonstrate the synergy effects created based on real-world usage scenarios.

The company also secured the first funding of €24.1 million for a consortium led by Saxony-based battery manufacturer Blackstone Technology.

Sodium-based solid-state batteries are recognized as a promising technology in terms of sustainability and resource security due to their extremely low resource dependence. However, further research and development is necessary to ensure competitiveness. A pilot plant and research and development facility will be established in Döbeln, Saxony, with an investment of €23 million. Upscaling for ton-scale production of sodium solid-state electrolytes is expected from 2025.