HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management is participating in the European research initiative SAFELOOP, which focuses on developing the next generation of safe, sustainable, and high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIB) for electric vehicles. The SAFELOOP project unites 15 leading academic and industrial partners from 11 countries to innovate technologies that support a competitive and environmentally friendly battery economy in Europe.
Within SAFELOOP, HHL plays a critical role in technology strategy and intellectual property (IP) management. Represented by the Deutsche Bank Chair of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, led by Prof. Dr. Kelvin Willoughby, HHL’s team of researchers and students is tasked with analyzing the global value chain of the LIB industry, evaluating the international patent landscape, and developing sustainable business models for European innovators.
“Our work in the SAFELOOP project shows that HHL plays a central role in the development of future technologies. We are not only strengthening Europe’s competitiveness but also actively shaping the change towards sustainable innovation. Especially in the deep tech sector, which makes a significant contribution to economic growth, we rely on a close integration of economics and technology development in order to increase the success rate in the commercialization of innovations,” says Willoughby, explaining the relevance of interdisciplinary cooperation.
The SAFELOOP project aims to significantly enhance the safety, sustainability, lifespan, and performance of LIBs at the European gigafactory scale. By 2030, the project targets a 15 percent increase in cycle stability and a doubling of operational lifespan compared to 2019 metrics. Additionally, SAFELOOP emphasizes the use of recycled materials from closed supply chains to support European objectives for material recovery. The project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, has a duration of 36 months, and is supported by an estimated budget of 4.7 million euros.
SAFELOOP’s comprehensive approach addresses key aspects of battery technology, including material innovation, manufacturing processes, and lifecycle management, ensuring that European battery technologies remain at the forefront of global advancements. The collaboration among diverse partners within SAFELOOP fosters an environment of shared expertise and resources, driving forward the development of cutting-edge battery solutions essential for the future of electric mobility.
Source: HHL
