German battery cell manufacturing plans pick up steam

Applications closed last Friday for the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology’s call for proposals for the development of battery cell production.  The Ministry has now issued its first official statement: More than 30 companies from across the value chain have participated in proposal submissions.

The list of companies range from automobile manufacturers and suppliers, battery manufacturers and chemical companies to raw material and recycling companies, also with the support of research institutes.

In an effort to promote the European production of battery cells the German Ministry of Economic Affairs widely announced the provision of one billion euros in funding for battery cell manufacturing projects for companies and consortia. After a call for proposals in January this year, the project outlines submitted are now being “tested at full speed”. Subsequently, the companies will further substantiate their applications in a second stage. This will also involve the formation of consortia. At the same time, funding will be discussed with the European Commission so that projects can be started as soon as possible.

So far it has been known that six consortia have submitted corresponding applications for funding to set up battery cell production. These include prominent names such as BASF, VW, PSA, BMW and Northvolt. Varta has also expressed interest.

bmwi.de (in German)