BMW Forms Battery Tech Alliance

BMW AG is teaming up with Swedish battery startup Northvolt AB and Belgian materials specialist Umicore NV to develop a “closed lifecycle loop” for batteries used in electric vehicles.

The partners aim to use renewable resources throughout the production of batteries, repurpose batteries as stationary energy storage systems after they’ve been used in EVs, and recycle battery cells and materials after their secondary use. BMW is making an unspecified investment in the partnership and will provide its expertise in cell development.

The alliance will complement BMW’s existing efforts, which include building next-generation prototype batteries (pictured), with a focus on cell chemistry, design and build-to-print systems. Next year the carmaker will open a battery center of excellence in Germany.

Under the new partnership, Umicore will be responsible for anode and cathode materials development and recycling. This will include the use of Umicore’s recycling plant for lithium-ion batteries and the recently announced cathode manufacturing facility that the company plans to open.

Northvolt, which aims to build a megafactory in Sweden in 2023, will focus on sustainable production for the partnership. The 3-year-old company has a development agreement with BMW and hopes to land a supply contract with the carmaker in the future.

Northvolt’s existing research facility will be used to test and validate battery cells for the program. The company says all the electrical power used to manufacture batteries will come from renewable resources.

The partners also plan to work together to improve end-of-life battery pack disassembly, identify and develop ways to reuse battery cells, and recycle materials into new applications. Another goal of the alliance is to create a means to help people develop the necessary technical skills—from cell chemistry to manufacturing and recycling expertise—for the program.