The MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster has initiated the REFlexBatt 2.0 project to create a modular pilot line for automated battery cell production. Launched on April 16, 2026, this three-year effort aims to enhance traceability, evaluation, and flexibility for emerging battery technologies. The project is a collaboration with Safion GmbH and is supported by approximately five million euros in funding from the European Union and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia under the “Forschungsinfrastrukturen.NRW” program. The grant notification was formally presented by the Münster Regional Council on April 9, 2026.
The pilot line is designed to accommodate a wide range of material systems—such as sodium- or potassium-based chemistries—by using flexibly adaptable manufacturing modules. Key components can be exchanged quickly to prevent cross-contamination, and process steps can be reconfigured with short changeover times. This modular approach is expected to accelerate innovation cycles, allowing researchers and manufacturers to transition advanced cell concepts from the laboratory to practical application more rapidly.
A critical element of the project is a built-in track-and-trace system. Each electrode will carry a unique identifier throughout production, assembly, and performance testing. By integrating this labeling system with comprehensive process parameter data and analytical methods, the team will gain precise insights into the factors influencing cell performance and quality—especially valuable when material quantities are limited.
Additionally, REFlexBatt 2.0 will explore scalable assembly methods to produce multi-layer cells at an early development stage, helping to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale prototyping and pilot-scale manufacturing. Regional President Andreas Bothe highlighted that enhancing research infrastructure in Münster strengthens resource-efficient supply chains across North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union.
Source: https://www.uni-muenster.de/MEET/en/presse/news/Start_Project_Reflexbatt.shtml
