Umicore, a Belgian metal technology company, has inaugurated solid-state EV battery material prototyping facilities in Olen, Belgium, for technological development after acquiring research expertise with the support of the Flemish government (VLAIO—Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen).

The 600-square-meter facility enables solid-state battery research, from formulation, characterization and production to battery cell assembly and testing. This comprehensive approach can develop new material categories like catholytes, which combine cathode active materials and solid electrolytes. Umicore’s laboratory has less than 0.1% humidity because 200,000 cubic meters of dry air is pushed through it every hour. This is done because the next generation of cathode active materials needs dry air for accurate testing, analysis and development.

“Umicore’s unique prototyping center will further scale up and advance solid-state battery chemistries which we’ve been developing since 2017,” said Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore. “This new facility is a critical step in increasing capacity for prototyping and with that our ability to support our customers by a factor of more than 10.” 

Source: Umicore