04/08/2021 07:30:00 CEST, Reutlingen Cooperation focusing on production solutions for lithium-ion battery cells and modules as well as for the assembly of battery packs for e-mobility | Combination of Manz and GROB's technology portfolio enables innovative, integrated turnkey solutions, from electrode coating to pack assembly | Strategic cooperation with the aim of becoming the leading European supplier in the field of fully comprehensive production solutions for lithium-ion battery systems
Manz AG and GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG have entered into a strategic cooperation in the field of lithium-ion battery systems. As part of the partnership, the companies plan to set innovative machine standards "made in Europe". This will combine market and customer access and bundle technical expertise. From now on, the companies will be able to offer the complete production process for manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells and modules, from coating the electrode material to pack assembly, from a single source and fully integrated. For customers, the holistic view results in significant competitive advantages in terms of efficiency, performance and safety of their battery cells and modules. The primary goal is a high-quality standard, stability, and cost efficiency by reducing friction losses while maintaining a high level of integration. The common goal of Manz and GROB is to establish themselves as the leading European supplier of production solutions in the field of lithium-ion battery systems with a clear focus on the upcoming needs of electromobility.
Manz AG brings to the cooperation its decades of experience in essential production steps for the manufacture of different lithium-ion cell types and their assembly into a battery module, from wound button cells to prismatic cells and stacked pouch cells. For more than 90 years GROB has been a pioneer in the construction of production and automation systems and has been convincing with its implementation strength in the conception, planning and commissioning of highly complex and customer-specific systems for mass production, especially for the automotive industry, with a strong focus on e-mobility in the past 5 years.
Martin Drasch, CEO of Manz AG, comments: "Manz has positioned itself excellently in the battery market. We see outstanding opportunities to take advantage from the dynamic development of e-mobility - which is why we have focused our business model accordingly. We are absolutely convinced that, based on the trend-setting cooperation with GROB, we have added another important building block to fully tap the enormous market potential, especially for scaled and efficient production solutions in the GWh range. The fact that this consistent orientation makes sense is underlined not least by the recently received funding commitment from the European Commission for the further development of lithium-ion battery technology as part of the so-called IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) "EuBatIn - European Batteries Innovation". GROB's expertise combined with our technological know-how makes it possible to further accelerate and market the development of innovative, flexible technologies and solutions in the field of electromobility.”
German Wankmiller, Chairman of the Management Board of the GROB Group, added: "We are delighted to be cooperating with such a renowned mechanical engineering company as Manz. In a very short time, the family-owned company GROB has built up comprehensive knowledge in machinery as well as equipment and process technology for the entire e-mobility portfolio and is now the world market leader in the manufacture of production systems for e-drives. At the same time, process knowledge for battery modules with pouch and hardcase cells has been developed in battery storage technologies with a focus on systems engineering, and several large-scale plants have already been delivered. As a further consistent step, GROB has also started the development of equipment technology to produce battery cells. Through our cooperation with Manz, we see ourselves in an even better position and can realize large-scale plants for the international automotive manufacturers and their suppliers in a short time. This allows us to offer solutions from a single source along the entire value chain, from coating to pack assembly. As a result, our customers enjoy benefits such as high throughput, low production costs and maximum innovative strength."