Features
16 Oct 18

BMW Group joins forces with Northvolt and Umicore

The BMW Group announced that it joins forces with Northvolt and Umicore in a technology consortium in order to work on the development of a complete and sustainable value chain for battery cells for electrified vehicles. The project is seeking to sustainably industrialize battery cell production in Europe, from cell chemistry and development through to production and recycling after use.

 

The partners emphasize that the chief objective is to make battery cells sustainable by establishing a closed life cycle loop, starting with the design and continuing through a manufacturing process using renewable energy. After production, the batteries will be used as drive batteries, possibly followed by another phase of secondary use as a stationary energy storage device. When their useable life comes to an end, the cells will be recycled and the raw materials reused, to complete the loop.

 

Because of the growing need for batteries for electric vehicles, the partnership is of strategic importance for BMW and its partners. Northvolt is focused on sustainable production, BMW is the carmaker that already develops its own battery cells today. Because the batteries contain essential resources and materials, Umicore, as a global leader in the development and production of active materials for battery cells and resource recycling, will bring its expertise, being responsible for active anode and cathode materials development and recycling within the alliance.

 

The BMW Group’s new battery cell centre of excellence will be inaugurated in the summer of 2019. With this project, BMW Group, Northvolt and Umicore are laying the basis for a sustainable value chain for automotive battery cells in Europe, from development and production, right to recycling.

 

Photo: BMW Group

Authored by: Stijn Blanckaert