Manufacturing Model For The Scaled Production Of NextGeneration Batteries : Evaluation and development of a flexible manufacturing model for the scaled production of next-generation battery technology in existing production facilities for Lithium-ion batt

Abstract: The conventional Li-ion battery technology has been dominating the battery market for over twenty years. Recent years have shown a constant increase in demand from different customer segments for Li-ion batteries. However, the Li-ion batteries pose a series of challenges, which has driven a pursuit for advanced battery technologies that are more efficient and can overcome the drawbacks of Li-ion batteries. The battery industry being highly dynamic, the development and inception of new technologies can happen at a faster rate in the coming years. Hence battery production industries need to be prepared for adapting to any changes induced by the technology change and the requirements from the market. Therefore, the project aims to provide an overview of the advancements happening in the field of battery technology and clearly define a roadmap for the commissioning organization for the coming decade regarding the introduction of new technologies into the market. Also, to provide a production perspective to implement the scaled production of the identified battery technology successfully. The research is performed in collaboration with Northvolt AB, a battery manufacturing company, established with a plan to develop the world’s greenest battery cell and build Europe’s largest battery production facility. The research is conducted in two stages. In the first part of the study, with a focus on the European market, a reliable market analysis is performed to identify the technologies with the potential to replace conventional Li-ion battery technology. The second half of the research is focused on developing a product overview for the battery technology that is identified with the potential to replace the conventional Li-ion battery technology in the coming decade and to develop a manufacturing model for the scaled production of the defined technology. From the literature study, it is concluded that the solid-state battery technology has the most significant potential to replace the conventional Li-ion battery technology from the market. The study indicated that the solid-state battery technology is expected to achieve 2% EV market penetration by 2030, which shall improve to 12% by 2035. A product overview and a manufacturing model is then developed for the scaled production of all-solid-state batteries in existing production facilities for the conventional Li-ion batteries. Furthermore, the required production infrastructure and the change in business model required with the in-co-operation of new product in the production is briefly discussed.