Integrated Production and Product Development for Next-Generation Lithium-based Batteries for Mobility (BATT4EU and Made in Europe Partnerships)

Expected Outcome

Proposals are expected to contribute to all following points:

• The projects must fulfil the performance targets, at the cell and system level, corresponding to the specific targeted application, to be specified in the proposal. Appropriate KPI must be defined for the energy density (volumetric and gravimetric), Power density and C-rate, number of cycles and cost defined under operational conditions.
• Boost EU competitiveness in next-generation battery technologies for mobility applications.
• Develop pilot manufacturing capability for next generation lithium-based batteries.
• Strengthen the EU battery value chain, including new manufacturing equipment, automation, and scalable production processes.
• Advance the understanding of next-generation battery interfaces at an industrial scale, ensuring manufacturability, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
• In the case of aviation, the battery requirements should be compatible at minimum with EASA CS.23 (level 4), CS.27 and preferably with CS.25 categories.

Scope

This topic will support the scaling-up of next generation (i.e., beyond generation 3) lithium-based batteries (e.g., semi and all-solid state, generation5) from cell prototypes (TRL 4-5) to demonstration of scalable production and demonstration of cell integration into module/pack level. The projects will cover pilot production, process automation, system integration and demonstration, advanced cell design, and supply chain development to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of battery innovation.

The projects must address the needs of a single specific and strategically relevant transport mode, and the targeted mode must be clearly indicated in the proposal. The following transport modes are in scope: Automotive; Aviation; Rail; Waterborne.

The projects are expected to cover all of the following production targets:

• Upscaling of components production Technologies:
• Optimisation and pilot-scale integration methods of anode and cathode materials compatible with next generation electrolytes
• Development of Cell Concepts, Manufacturing Equipment and Machinery
• Development of flexible and high-throughput processing methods for large-scale cell production (e.g., laser patterning, vacuum sintering, and advanced calendaring).
• Development of next-generation production machinery, tailored for next generation lithium-ion cell manufacturing (e.g., solid electrolyte deposition tools, high-precision stacking machines).
• Design and demonstration of module and packs into vehicles/relevant environment
• Develop module/pack design and relevant sensors and Battery Management Systems (BMS), optimised for supporting the system, for seamless cell-to-system integration, regulatory compliance, and specific end-user application requirements.
• Perform comprehensive validation, including performance, durability, and safety testing under realistic operational conditions, addressing thermal management, mechanical stress, vibration resistance, and electrical performance at relevant scales.

The Commission initiative for Safe and Sustainable by Design[1] (SSbD) sets a framework for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials which should be considered as a reference for project proposals.

Whenever the expected exploitation of project results entails developing, creating, manufacturing and marketing a product or process, or in creating and providing a service, the plan for the exploitation and dissemination of results must include a strategy for such exploitation. The exploitation plans are expected to include preliminary plans for scalability, commercialisation, and deployment (feasibility study, business plan) indicating the possible funding sources to be potentially used (in particular the Innovation Fund).

Proposals could consider the involvement of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)[2] whose contribution could consist of performing experimental or desk-top research on battery performance or safety. For further information on the JRC’s possible contribution to the projects, please, search for additional publicly available information on the JRC’s website[3] (EU Science Hub) on the NCP portal, or request specific information from the JRC (JRC-NCP-Network@ec.europa.eu)

JRC will assure that all the other applicants receive the same information on the JRC’s possible contribution to the project (e.g., via the topic-specific FAQs under the Funding and Tenders Portal).

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU) and the co-programmed Partnership on Advanced Manufacturing in Europe (Made in Europe). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on the results to the European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU) and Made in Europe in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.

This topic contributes to the industrial action plan for the automotive sector.

Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.

[1] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/key-enabling-technologies/chemicals-and-advanced-materials_en

[2] https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/laboratories-z/battery-energy-storage-testing_en

[3] JRC NCP | Horizon Europe NCP Portal