Holibat

HOLiBAT proposes a cost-effective and sustainable HLM-based EV-grade battery cell. It envisions the use of high capacity HLM (High-loading material) and Si/C as electrode materials, adapted for both aqueous and dry processing in their current production lines, reducing reliance on CRMs by eliminating the Co and reducing the need for Ni and graphite. They will be combined with low-F and no-carbonate electrolytes and cellulose-based separators to enhance the sustainability of the cells. The aqueous and dry electrode processing routes developed at the laboratory will be upscaled to pilot production lines.

Contactless ultrasound (US) sensors will be implemented in these lines to detect production defects, improving the quality of the electrodes and minimizing the scrap generated. Electrolyte filling, formation, and aging conditions will be optimized on pouch cells assembled with these electrodes. Assisted by US sensors, the data obtained in these processes will feed a machine learning model coupled to a battery design and visualization software, allowing the identification of degradation mechanisms and enhancing the cycle life of the cells.

These advances will be validated in two different EV-grade cell formats (prismatic and cylindrical) with high energy density (targeting 350 Wh/kg; 850 Wh/L). The implementation of aqueous and dry electrode processing will decrease the energy consumption of electrode and cell production, enhancing the cost competitiveness of the European manufacturers.

Solvionic will support Holibat by developing innovative, non-flammable, low-fluorine, carbonate-free electrolytes that are compatible with the electrode and separator materials used in the project.