The Fraunhofer Battery Alliance and partners from South Korea signed two memorandums of understanding to expand cooperation on battery technology, production and recycling. The agreements were announced on October 5, 2026, during a South Korean delegation’s visit to the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB in Münster.
The partners include the Korea Environment Corporation (K-eco), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the City of Pohang. They intend to combine their expertise through joint research and development activities addressing battery manufacturing requirements, industrial implementation and recycling.
Potential research areas involving POSTECH and the City of Pohang include lithium-ion battery materials, next-generation batteries, cell technologies, production processes, recycling and the circular economy. The City of Pohang intends to provide administrative and funding support for activities involving local companies and international research partners.
Cooperation with K-eco will focus primarily on recycling used batteries, as well as certification and quality assurance procedures for recovered battery materials. The partners also plan to examine research approaches that could support compliance with the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542.
During a seminar in Münster, the organizations presented their research activities and discussed potential joint projects. The delegation subsequently toured the FFB PreFab facility in Münster-Amelsbüren, which provides research infrastructure for industry-oriented battery cell production.
The facility includes European manufacturing equipment that can be used to test cell concepts and production technologies under industry-relevant conditions. According to Fraunhofer FFB, the infrastructure will allow the partners to investigate new battery materials, cell technologies and manufacturing processes while assessing their potential for industrial-scale production at an early stage.
Source: Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB
