"Milestone" in Münster: First European battery cell from research factory

The Battery Cell Research Production (Forschungsfertigung Batteriezelle, FFB) in Münster, a central project of Germany's Hightech Agenda, has taken a significant step towards battery cell production "made in Germany". Recently, in the first expansion phase, the "FFB PreFab" opened in mid-2024, the first electrically functional lithium-ion battery cell was produced. According to those involved, this was realized for the first time in a continuous production chain based exclusively on European plant technology. This ranges from electrode manufacturing to the fully charged cell.

The step underscores the efforts of the federal government and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) to strengthen Germany's and Europe's technological sovereignty in a key industry. Such batteries are considered essential for the transformation towards climate-neutral mobility and energy generation. The FFB is intended to serve as a crucial link between basic research and large-scale industrial application in order to accelerate the transfer of technologies from the lab to economic production ("Lab to Fab" principle).

For Dorothee Bär (CSU), Federal Minister for Research and Technology, mastering battery technology and the competitive production of battery cells is indispensable for asserting oneself in international competition. She celebrated the first cell from the PreFab as a milestone.

Targeting Competitive Production

NRW sees itself confirmed as a location for high-tech industry through the research production. Green Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Mona Neubaur emphasized that strong European battery production is central to economic success and technological independence.

Minister of Science Ina Brandes (CDU) added that smart batteries represent a key everyday technology. The FFB will have a pull effect on urgently needed skilled workers and excellent scientists. The President of the Fraunhofer Society, Holger Hanselka, emphasized that the research network, with its focus on future-relevant technologies, strengthens Germany's sovereignty and innovative power. The start of the pilot line is a pillar on the way to competitive battery production.

The large-scale project aims to establish competitive battery production and circular economy in Germany by 2035 within the framework of a European network. According to its creators, the FFB offers a unique research infrastructure worldwide that enables small and medium-sized enterprises, corporations, and academic institutions to test and optimize the production of new battery technologies in a digitized, flexible, and modular manufacturing environment. In the future, the facility is intended to demonstrate production and operating concepts, bringing together core areas of German industry – automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, and specialty chemicals.

Significant Cost Increase

Considerable financial resources are needed for the construction of the research factory on a gigafactory scale, which the federal government, NRW, and Fraunhofer are aiming for. The federal government is providing up to 750 million euros for the establishment of operations. Originally, it was supposed to be 500 million. The state is investing around 320 million euros in land and research buildings. NRW is responsible for the construction and financing of the buildings. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is financing the provision of infrastructure in the factory, including the necessary clean and dry rooms.

The currently ongoing second construction phase, the "FFB Fab," is intended to enable production research on a gigafactory scale for science and industry on approximately 20,000 square meters in the future. Battery cell production is currently a global market, mainly dominated by Asian suppliers from China, South Korea, and Japan. Mastering the entire value chain, especially mechanical and plant engineering, is considered crucial for Europe's technological and economic independence.

Germany and Europe are strong in basic research and material development in this area. However, for a long time, there was a lack of transfer of these findings into large-scale industrial production.

(kbe)