- CFG drives process innovation in cell production
- ZSK twin-screw extruder ensures homogeneous mixing of formulation
- Modular design allows great flexibility in the use of technology
Cutting-edge technology for innovative high-performance battery cells: At its future production site in Kirchentellinsfurt, the Cellforce Group is using two extruders from Coperion. The two ZSK Mc18 twin-screw extruders, together with a high-precision Coperion K-Tron feeder, will ensure continuous production of the battery compound when production starts. “We are developing one of the most innovative cell production facilities in Europe. This includes cutting-edge technology that strengthens our processes in terms of both quality and capacity,” says Dr. Markus Gräf, managing director of the Cellforce Group. The joint venture between sports car manufacturer Porsche AG and Customcells Holding GmbH, one of the leading developers and manufacturers of application-specific battery cells, will begin pilot production of high-performance battery cells in 2024, serving the field of special automotive applications.
Excellent mixing properties and lower operating costs
The Cellforce Group chose the ZSK twin-screw extruders in particular because of their excellent mixing properties. In addition, the throughput can be controlled specifically to enable an optimum overall process. The high degree of automation helps to reduce operating costs compared with more labor- and personnel-intensive discontinuous processes and enables reproducible, consistently high product quality.
“Thanks to their very good mixing performance, the ZSK twin-screw extruders ensure particularly high homogeneity of the special formulation with its high silicon content developed for these high-performance battery cells. Their modular design also allows easy adaptation to new formulations. This means that future optimizations, such as dispensing with toxic solvents, can be implemented quickly and without any loss of quality,” says Markus Fiedler, Process Engineering Team Leader Chemical Applications at Coperion.
Highest requirements for cleanliness are met
Another important aspect in the process and for the operation of the plant is the carefully designed containment, i.e. the safe isolation of the manufacturing process. This prevents contamination of the working environment and the environment by toxic substances. For this reason, the extruder and the high-precision Coperion K-Tron feeders are designed to be dust-tight and meet the highest cleanliness requirements.
In 2021, the Cellforce Group acquired a plot of land in the Reutlingen-Nord/Kirchentellinsfurt industrial estate on which the battery manufacturer’s new corporate headquarters will be built by the end of 2023. At the start of 2024, the Cellforce Group’s production facility with a capacity of at least 100 MWh per year is to go into operation. This corresponds to high-performance battery cells for around 1,000 vehicles.
