PowerCo SE, a burgeoning global battery cell manufacturer founded by the Volkswagen Group in 2022, has announced a significant partnership with the International Research School for Battery Chemistry, Characterization, Analysis, Recycling and Application (BACCARA) at the University of Münster. Over the next three years, PowerCo will finance the BACCARA research program, including associated doctoral positions, while providing students with practical insights through expert lectures and on-site projects.
This cooperation aims to leverage and enhance the tremendous progress made in battery research in Germany, a field that has seen substantial advancements due to combined efforts from regional competence centers and industry-academic collaborations. The focus on battery research is driven by the rise of electromobility, positioning Germany as a leading research nation globally.
Sebastian Krapoth, Chief Human Resources Officer of PowerCo, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration: “With PowerCo, we want to establish the battery cell as a key technology in Germany and Europe. We rely on the brightest and most committed minds in the industry to build a sustainable, reliable cell manufacturer with European roots. By partnering with Münster, we aim to ensure that these minds are trained in Germany and do not need to move abroad at an early stage. Strong battery research with top researchers is crucial for competing with our Asian competitors.”
The partnership will enable BACCARA to continue its top-level research and training. Prof. Dr. Martin Winter, one of the scientific directors of BACCARA, highlighted the ongoing focus on optimizing lithium-ion batteries, substituting critical raw materials, and researching solid-state and lithium-free systems like sodium-ion batteries. “There will not be one universal battery technology of the future. The market will become more differentiated,” he stated.
Currently, 45 doctoral students are engaged in high-level research at BACCARA, benefiting from workshops in intercultural communication, programming languages, and other valuable qualifications. They also gain from the expertise of over 30 researchers involved in the program. The cooperation agreement, initially set for three years, is vital in light of reduced federal research funding, making external support essential.
“With PowerCo’s support, we ensure that top-level research and training can continue in Münster,” said Prof. Dr. Winter. “Highly qualified specialists will continue to emerge from Münster, driving battery research and industry forward nationally and across Europe.”
Dr. Julia Quante, BACCARA Managing Director, underscored the importance of the partnership in addressing the challenges of the energy transition. “By providing industry-oriented doctoral training at the highest level, we can make a significant contribution to battery research. This cooperation with PowerCo is both far-sighted and promising.”
PowerCo SE, headquartered in Salzgitter, is currently developing and producing battery cells and integrating the value chain. The company is building three cell factories in Salzgitter, Germany; Valencia, Spain; and St. Thomas, Canada, with a combined capacity of up to 200 gigawatt hours per year.
Through this collaboration, young research talents at BACCARA will benefit from the expertise of over 30 professors and junior research group leaders from various departments at the University of Münster, ensuring a strong connection between top-level research and industry.
