ABB and Chinese battery-maker Gotion High-Tech have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the construction and development of the latter’s large-scale lithium-ion battery plants to serve the European and US electric vehicle markets, ABB said Dec. 12.
The agreement, which was signed by the executives of both the companies at Gotion’s first battery-manufacturing factory in Göttingen, Germany, entails ABB to collaborate with the battery-maker and supply a master design plan combining automation, electrification and digital technologies.
Gotion High-Tech, in which Germany’s largest carmaker Volkswagen has a 26.5% equity stake, plans to open a $2 billion lithium battery plant in Illinois, US, and is also considering a factory in Morocco as part of its ambitious global efforts to grow availability and resilience of the EV market.
According to the press note, a joint project team will complete a feasibility assessment to introduce ABB products and services into Gotion’s planned factories, explore a research and development (R&D) collaboration, and understand how battery cells, modules and packs from Gotion could be supplied to ABB and its affiliates.
It further said that ABB solutions, based on ABB’s plant optimization methodology for battery manufacturing, would increase throughput with higher levels of automation, optimization and emission control to Gotion’s factories.
Meanwhile, ABB’s electrification solutions are expected to provide Gotion with integrated, modular power distribution solutions that are standardized, scalable and replicable. By using ABB’s digital solutions, Gotion would ensure comprehensive connectivity and shop floor integration for optimized operations, it said.
“Our partnership with ABB will lead to a position where we can contribute towards the significantly high demand of electric vehicles in Europe and the US,” said Li Zhen, chairman of Gotion. “We’re confident that ABB’s approaches are proven to scale up operations quickly while ensuring safety and environmental responsibility are addressed at every stage.”
“This is a new milestone for ABB in battery manufacturing where we will be partnering with Gotion High-Tech for the development of their large-scale battery factories,” said Staffan Sodergard, business unit manager, Battery Manufacturing, Process Industries, ABB. “As the demand for EVs continues to grow, mass manufacturing of batteries remains a top priority to ensure that there is availability and consistent supply within the global market.”
