VON ARDENNE Mobility is a segment of the VON ARDENNE Group, a German engineering company known for its high-tech vacuum coating equipment and processes. Headquartered in Dresden, Germany, the company specializes in applying functional layers to various substrates such as glass, wafers, metal strips, and plastic films. Dedicated to innovation and sustainability, VON ARDENNE Mobility addresses global needs concerning future mobility solutions, including advanced battery and fuel cell technologies. Their expertise spans from research and development to industrial-scale production.
With a global presence that includes subsidiaries and support centers in China, Malaysia, the USA, India, Japan, and Vietnam, VON ARDENNE Mobility serves a wide array of industries. These include photovoltaics, hydrogen and fuel cells, electronics, and especially battery technology. The company’s long history is rooted in the Manfred von Ardenne Research Institute, and Dresden hosts its largest development and production hub.
Battery Technology
VON ARDENNE Mobility provides advanced vacuum coating equipment and process technologies that are essential for electrode preparation and cell component functionalization within the battery value chain. Their core offerings include specialized roll-to-roll coating systems designed for metal foils, polymer films, and current collectors. Using physical vapor deposition (PVD), the company applies thin functional coatings to materials like aluminum or copper current collectors. These ultra-thin carbon coatings, sometimes less than 100 nanometers thick, significantly improve:
- Electrical conductivity: Reducing internal resistance for more efficient power transfer.
- Interface stability: Enhancing the longevity and reliability of battery components.
- Energy and power density: Allowing for more energy storage and faster power delivery.
- Mechanical safety and battery lifetime: Contributing to the overall durability and safety of the battery.
- Fast-charging capability: Optimizing the battery’s ability to charge quickly.
VON ARDENNE Mobility’s process technology scales from pilot-stage R&D to high-volume industrial production, supporting diverse battery chemistries, including lithium-ion, thin-film, and redox flow. The application of vacuum coatings also reduces inactive materials inside battery cells, leading to lower weight and cost while improving overall operational efficiency and cycle life. For fuel cell applications, their PVD coating systems produce carbon coatings for metallic bipolar plates, offering corrosion resistance and low interfacial contact resistance.
Recent Projects
VON ARDENNE Mobility has recently focused on developing and supplying high-productivity vacuum coating systems for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. These systems produce thin functional layers that enhance energy density, power output, and battery longevity. A particular achievement is the XPRIME PVD technology, which enables the application of ultra-thin carbon coatings on current collectors, crucial for improved conductivity and reduced resistance.
The company is also a participant in the RoSiLIB collaboration, working alongside Fraunhofer IFAM and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden. This project aims to develop cost-effective manufacturing processes for silicon-based high-energy anodes. The focus is on using nanoporous silicon microparticles for large-format lithium-ion batteries, addressing material expansion and gas evolution challenges.
Investors
VON ARDENNE Mobility operates as a business segment within the privately held VON ARDENNE Group. The primary shareholder and controlling entity is VON ARDENNE Holding SE & Co. KGaA, managed via VON ARDENNE Holding Management SE. Governance includes members of the von Ardenne family, such as Pia von Ardenne and Dr. Benjamin von Ardenne, along with appointed directors and supervisors.
Business Details
Location: Dresden, Germany
Website: https://vonardenne.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/76198384
