9. March 2026 | Press releases:

TU Braunschweig strengthens its role as a battery hotspot New facilities for researching innovative and sustainable battery production processes inaugurated

On 6 March 2026, three facilities for the production of future-proof battery cell technologies were officially put into operation at the Battery Labfactory Braunschweig (BLB) research centre at Technische Universität Braunschweig. With this expanded infrastructure, the BLB+ (Braunschweig Labfactories for Batteries and more) regional network is strengthening its position as a leading platform for industry-oriented research into circular, sustainable battery production processes. TU Braunschweig received a total of over ten million euros in funding for this project. The aim of the investments, which are financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), is to research innovative manufacturing processes for battery electrodes under industry-oriented conditions and thus make key contributions to the further development of battery cell production in Germany. The inauguration was attended by Lower Saxony’s Minister of Science and Culture, Falko Mohrs, and BMFTR representative Dr. Stefan Jung.

“We need strong research, closely networked with companies and start-ups, and well coordinated at national level. That is what TU Braunschweig stands for. Above all, the question of how batteries and battery materials can be reused is being addressed here. The new research facilities perfectly complement this infrastructure here – making us pioneers nationwide,” said Lower Saxony’s Minister of Science, Falko Mohrs. “Our goal as a state is to reduce dependencies and keep value creation here. Our research activities here contribute directly to Germany’s high-tech agenda as well as our technological sovereignty and economic competitiveness.”

“We have been successfully researching battery technologies since 2007 and have consolidated our leading international role in battery production research with the BLB. The fact that more and more companies are settling in the region shows that the impetus provided by Technische Universität Braunschweig is driving the development of a strong battery ecosystem,” said TU President Angela Ittel.

During the event, the following facilities, including associated laboratory and analysis infrastructure, were inaugurated, financed by the BMFTR ‘ForBatt’ call for proposals:

  • A pilot plant for dry coating with a drying room and laboratory infrastructure: Dry coating is a novel production method that offers significant advantages in terms of cost, energy efficiency and sustainability compared to conventional wet coating.
  • Tandem wet coating plant for circular battery cell production: The plant was designed specifically for the implementation of multiple cycle production with sustainable drying processes and enables the reproducible manufacture of larger quantities of electrodes and cells. Together with the existing recycling plant, it thus creates the conditions for industry-oriented research into closed material cycles.
  • 3D printing plant for solid-state electrodes: The focus here is on the development and manufacture of innovative 3D solid-state electrodes for future battery generations.

“Together, the three facilities complete a research infrastructure that is unique in Germany, enabling us to develop innovations for sustainable, circular and high-performance battery cell technologies along the entire value chain – from basic research to industry-oriented demonstration,” explains Professor Arno Kwade, Vice President for Transfer and Innovation at TU Braunschweig and spokesperson for the BLB Executive Board. “With these facilities, which are funded by the BMFTR with over ten million euros, the BLB+ regional network is strengthening the expansion of the Braunschweig and Lower Saxony region into a leading hotspot for the circular production of energy storage and conversion devices and is making an important contribution to the transformation of battery cell production in Germany.”

Braunschweig Labfactories for Batteries and more (BLB+)

The Battery Labfactory Braunschweig (BLB), together with the Centre for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells (CPC) and the Fraunhofer Centre for Energy Storage and Systems (Fraunhofer ZESS), forms the regional association Braunschweig Labfactories for Batteries and more (BLB+) with leading expertise in sustainable energy storage and fuel cell research in Germany.

Members of TU Braunschweig and the Fraunhofer Society work closely with members of the Technical University of Clausthal, the PTB and Leibniz University Hannover in the three research centres. From the data- and knowledge-based development of new electrodes and membranes to innovative cell concepts, in-situ diagnostic procedures and digital simulation tools, to ecologically and economically optimised recycling and material synthesis processes, the collaboration aims to achieve closed material cycles for lithium-ion, sodium-ion and lithium-sulphur batteries with liquid electrolyte, for different types of solid-state batteries and fuel cells, and for electrolysers. Close industrial partnerships enable rapid transfer into marketable products – in the interests of a resilient, climate-friendly energy supply for Germany and Europe.