ANDRITZ Schuler, part of the international technology group ANDRITZ, has begun operating a 1.5-gigawatt battery cell mass formation line at a major production site in southern Germany. The line has been producing cylindrical “booster” cells for a prominent German premium vehicle manufacturer since early January. These cells are designed for rapid and energy-efficient charge and discharge cycles, making them well suited for use as auxiliary batteries in electric vehicles.
According to ANDRITZ Schuler CEO Martin Drasch, the award of this project underscores the company’s expanding role in global battery cell manufacturing. He noted that ANDRITZ Schuler secured the order through a combination of its battery production expertise, integrated services—including installation, commissioning, and lifecycle support—and the financial strength of the ANDRITZ Group. “Our digital solutions, robust data-management capabilities, and advanced power-electronics technology were decisive in this all-European collaboration,” Drasch said. He added that the company is already engaged in discussions on follow-up orders.
Formation is the final step in battery cell manufacturing, during which the cell chemistry is activated through controlled charging and discharging cycles. The newly installed line, based on technology from ANDRITZ Sovema (recently integrated into ANDRITZ Schuler), features more than 50,000 channels, 200 formation chambers, integrated power-electronics modules, and a comprehensive Track & Trace system. The fully automated solution gathers over two million data points per second, and it includes automated loading and unloading systems to streamline production.
Measuring 22 meters in length and ten meters in both width and height, the line has been engineered for high energy efficiency and incorporates an intelligent service and maintenance concept. Its advanced automation and data-collection capabilities are intended to support consistent product quality and operational efficiency throughout the line’s service life.
Source: ANDRITZ Newsroom
