On November 3, 2025, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS officially opened its new DRYplatform research facility during the DRY Coating Forum in Dresden. Backed by a €3.7 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the inauguration drew nearly 200 experts—around 80 percent from industry—to explore the potential of dry electrode coating.
DRYplatform offers a fully integrated setup for the development and scaling of solvent-free electrode manufacturing. Central to the facility is the DRYtraec process, a patented dry transfer coating technology that replaces conventional wet methods. By eliminating solvents and energy-intensive drying steps, DRYtraec reduces production costs, minimizes environmental impact, and conserves floor space.
The platform’s modular design includes a multi-chamber dry-air system with precise humidity control, high-intensity and extrusion mixers for powder preparation, and connected analytical tools. Complementary units cover cell testing, post-compaction, and electrode finishing. All inline and offline data feed into a shared digital infrastructure, enabling rapid mapping of material–process–property relationships and accelerating the transition from laboratory research to near-industrial demonstrations.
“DRYplatform accelerates the transfer from science to industry,” said Prof. Christoph Leyens, IWS Director. The multi-chamber concept, developed amid supply chain challenges and rising energy costs, combines low operating expenses with the capability to handle moisture-sensitive materials. Dr. Benjamin Schumm, Head of Particle Technology, noted that close collaboration among chemists, process and mechanical engineers, and analytics specialists makes it possible to deliver fast, reliable answers to complex questions.
DRYplatform is designed to serve the entire battery value chain. Material developers can validate new formulations, equipment manufacturers can refine system components, and cell producers can assess electrochemical performance. Automotive and aerospace partners gain a foundation for next-generation products. Access to the infrastructure is available through joint research projects.
By strengthening domestic research and plant engineering capabilities, DRYplatform supports Germany’s competitiveness in e-mobility and advanced battery manufacturing. A complementary DRYtraec-based pilot line at the Fraunhofer Research Fabrication Battery Cell FFB is scheduled to begin operation by the end of 2025, enabling a seamless path from fundamental research to pilot production.
Source: Fraunhofer IWS Press Release
