The partnership now includes the Cellforce Group, marking the next step in the development of dry electrode coating.
Last year, Dürr had announced its partnership with US coating expert Licap Technologies alongside the acquisition of the French mechanical engineering company Ingecal. This move highlighted Dürr’s goal to offer dry electrode coating solutions in addition to the established wet coating process.
The expanded collaboration now includes Cellforce, a subsidiary of sports car manufacturer Porsche. It will focus on integrating Licap’s patented Activated Dry Electrode technology into Cellforce’s battery production line. Combined with Dürr's expertise in electrode coating, this marks a step toward an overall approach to industrial-scale dry electrode coating.
Licap’s Activated Dry Electrode technology is said to improve battery performance while minimising environmental impact. By eliminating toxic solvents and energy-intensive drying ovens, it is claimed to reduce energy consumption, shorten process times, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by roughly one tonne per 10 kilowatt hours of electrode capacity produced.
Cellforce recently licensed Licap’s Activated Dry Electrode technology. Dürr has already commissioned a gigawatt-scale proof-of-concept cathode line in Chassieu, France. "By collaborating with Licap, Dürr is broadening its dry coating solutions to support customers like Cellforce in adopting this innovative dry electrode production process," said Bernhard Bruhn, vice president global business LIB.