The MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster will coordinate a three-year collaboration beginning July 2026 to advance solvent-free production of lithium-ion battery electrodes. Under the project “Ganztrocken – Holistic Development of Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Electrodes Processed Entirely Using Dry Methods,” five partners from academia and industry will develop an end-to-end dry processing workflow. The initiative aims to eliminate the energy-intensive drying step of conventional electrode manufacturing while improving performance and resource efficiency.
Funded with approximately €2.5 million by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, the project launched with a kick-off meeting in Münster. Researchers will explore continuous dry processes, including extrusion techniques that incorporate new binder and material systems to accommodate the significant volume changes of silicon-based anodes during cycling. In parallel, cathode materials based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) will be developed to reduce dependence on critical metals like cobalt and nickel.
Throughout the process chain, the team will employ advanced sensor and measurement technologies to monitor each production stage. This detailed process characterization is intended to form the foundation for scaling dry electrode manufacturing to industrial levels. “We will monitor all stages with specialized measurement tools, building the knowledge base needed for future implementation in production,” explains Dr. Katrin Junghans, the project’s scientific coordinator at MEET. Dr. Markus Börner, head of MEET’s Cell System research division and project manager, adds that this comprehensive approach will help Europe strengthen its position in the global battery market.
Industrial partners IBU-tec, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Suragus, and Matthews Engineering will contribute expertise in active material development, manufacturing equipment, and process monitoring. Close collaboration between materials suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and research institutions is designed to ensure direct transfer of the dry processing techniques to commercial production lines, supporting European autonomy in battery raw materials and technology.
Source: MEET Battery Research Center
