PCC SE: Federal government supports battery project of PCC Thorion, Fraunhofer ISE and Glatt Ingenieurtechnik

Duisburg (pta041/30.07.2024/15:38) - The Duisburg-based high-tech company PCC Thorion GmbH, a subsidiary of PCC SE, together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH, has received federal funding of 2.6 million euros for a project to improve the performance of electricity storage systems. The aim of the joint project is to develop new materials that improve both the performance and environmental compatibility of lithium-ion batteries, which are needed for the energy transition. This is because stationary storage systems for surplus electricity from solar and wind power are required for a higher proportion of renewable energies in the electricity mix. The project for the "Development of structure- and surface-optimized silicon anodes and high-energy cathodes for energy-dense lithium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage solutions" (StrOboBatt) is scheduled to run for three years.

"The partnership between PCC Thorion GmbH, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH is a significant step toward sustainable energy storage solutions," explains Enrico Roicke, Managing Director of PCC Thorion GmbH. "It combines the expertise and resources of the companies involved as well as numerous other industrial and development partners." These include E-Lyte Innovations GmbH, LG Chem Europe GmbH and UniverCell Holding GmbH.

The companies involved in the StrOboBatt project are working on the development of a whole range of important components for lithium-ion batteries. For example, PCC Thorion is developing silicon-based materials to improve the anodes in the batteries. The basis for these innovative materials is silicon nanopowder, which is obtained from the silicon metal produced by sister company PCC BakkiSilicon hf. in Iceland. A composite made of silicon and carbon, developed jointly with Fraunhofer ISE, provides an anode active material with an energy density several times higher than the graphite usually used and therefore significantly increases the capacity of lithium-ion batteries. The StrOboBatt project focuses in particular on the surface optimization of this material in order to increase its longevity and optimize its performance in lithium-ion batteries in combination with additives. A powder synthesis technology developed by Glatt Ingenieurtechnik is being used for this purpose.

The StrOboBatt project also focuses on the development of cobalt- and nickel-free cathodes and their coating, as well as on the integration of environmentally friendly technologies to reduce the ecological footprint of battery production. By using water instead of organic and toxic solvents as a sustainable, environmentally friendly solvent, energy costs and thus cell production costs can be drastically reduced.

About PCC Thorion GmbH

PCC Thorion GmbH is a young, innovative company focusing on the development and production of silicon-carbon composites and other silicon metal-based materials for use in batteries. As a subsidiary of the Duisburg-based investment holding company PCC SE, PCC Thorion GmbH is part of the globally active PCC Group with about 3,300 employees. The PCC Group has core competencies in the production of chemical raw materials and specialty chemicals, silicon and silicon derivatives, and in container logistics. There is close cooperation with sister company PCC BakkiSilicon hf. which operates one of the world's most modern and climate-friendly silicon production facilities in Iceland. This enables PCC Thorion GmbH to ensure a sustainable and safe production chain from the raw material silicon to the end product. Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in Duisburg. Further information about PCC Thorion GmbH can be found at https://www.pcc-thorion.eu.

About the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

With 1,400 employees, the Freiburg-based Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is Europe's largest solar research institute. Fraunhofer ISE is committed to a sustainable, economical, safe and socially just energy supply system based on renewable energies. As part of its research focus on energy efficiency, energy generation, energy distribution and energy storage, it creates the technical prerequisites for an efficient and environmentally friendly energy supply in industrialized countries as well as in emerging and developing countries. To this end, the institute develops materials, components, systems and processes in a total of eight business areas: Photovoltaics: Materials, Cells and Modules; Photovoltaics: Production Technology and Transfer; Solar Power Plants and Integrated Photovoltaics; Power Electronics and Grids; Electrical Energy Storage; Climate-Neutral Heat and Buildings; Hydrogen Technologies; System Integration. A special feature of Fraunhofer ISE is its outstanding technical infrastructure, which is currently divided into eight laboratory centers and four production-related technology evaluation centers. In addition, the institute has several accredited test centers. The institute is a member of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the largest organization for application-oriented research in Europe. www.ise.fraunhofer.de

About Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH

Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH is part of the Glatt Group and has developed into a market leader for process and plant technologies for the refinement and processing of powders in the pharmaceutical, food/feed and fine chemicals sectors. Despite the associated growth and international positioning achieved, Glatt is still a family business. This unique constellation enables short entrepreneurial decision-making paths and, at the same time, effective and extensive implementation strength in the marketplace. Operating out of its Weimar site, Glatt constitutes a competence center for process technologies, including fine chemicals and the innovative technology center for continuous fluidized bed processes. The company, which was founded in 1991 and currently employs around 300 people, is therefore able to boast extensive expertise in the development, functionalization and production of powdered materials, as well as in the construction and operation of corresponding systems. Specially developed spray pyrolysis processes are used for powder synthesis, while fluidized bed, spouted bed and spray granulation systems are available for granulation and coating processes. Glatt thus offers many years of unique expertise in the synthesis, functionalization and packaging of particle and material systems for a wide range of particle, raw material and functional requirements. Further information can be found at https://foodfeedfinechemicals.glatt.com/.

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