Pioneering: New research building for circular production and recycling of batteries and fuel cells

On August 18, the symbolic launch of the “Center for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells” (CPC) was held at Braunschweig University of Technology. From 2027, around 150 scientists will be working on circular production and recycling processes for batteries and fuel cells on an area of 3,700 square meters. The new research building, estimated at around €73 million, is receiving €65 million in funding from the state and federal governments. At the same time, the new research building will strengthen the Braunschweig LabFactories for Batteries and more (BLB+) regional network and further advance its future-oriented development.

This marks a nationally recognized milestone for battery and hydrogen research in Braunschweig: Professor Angela Ittel, President of Braunschweig University of Technology, Falko Mohrs, Lower Saxony’s Minister of Science and Culture, and Braunschweig’s Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum and Professor Arno Kwade, designated spokesperson for the “Center for Circular Production of Next Batteries and Fuel Cells” (CPC), jointly laid the foundation stone for this outstanding research building.

Complete material cycle through the integration of recycling and resynthesis processes: The central goal of the CPC is the complete integration of recycling and resynthesis processes into the circular production of new generations of batteries and energy converters right from the product development phase. Around 150 scientists in the fields of process engineering, recycling, manufacturing technology, chemistry, physics, and logistics will conduct joint research on solid-state batteries, membrane-based flow batteries, fuel cells, and metal-oxygen systems.

A particular focus is on the recovery of critical raw materials and their processing into high-purity active materials – a consistently circular economy approach that enables closed material cycles and thus ensures the sustainable use of valuable resources.

The CPC is being built in the immediate vicinity of the research buildings of TU Braunschweig, NFF (Automotive Engineering), NFL (Aviation), the Fraunhofer Center for Energy Storage and Systems ZESS (System Solutions for Battery and Fuel Cell Technology), and the CircularLab test hall of BLB (Battery LabFactory Braunschweig). This also places the CPC in close proximity to energy storage, vehicle, and aviation research, further strengthening both the mobility research focus in Braunschweig and Lower Saxony’s research activities on the energy transition. The research building thus makes a significant contribution to the two key technologies “Technologies for Climate-Neutral Mobility” and “Fusion and Climate-Neutral Energy Generation” of the recently published High-Tech Agenda Germany. One focus is on establishing competitive battery production and recycling in Germany by 2035.

Braunschweig LabFactories for Batteries and more (BLB+): As part of the regional network Braunschweig LabFactories for Batteries and more (BLB+), the CPC, together with the Battery LabFactory Braunschweig (BLB) and the Fraunhofer Center for Energy Storage and Systems (Fraunhofer ZESS), brings together Germany’s leading expertise in sustainable energy storage and fuel cell research. In addition to TU Braunschweig and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, TU Clausthal, PTB, and Leibniz University Hannover also work closely together in the scientific ecosystem. From the data- and knowledge-based development of new electrodes and membranes to innovative cell concepts, in-situ diagnostic methods, and digital simulation tools, as well as ecologically and economically optimized recycling and material synthesis processes, the collaboration aims at closed material cycles for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, as well as fuel cells and electrolyzers. Close industrial partnerships enable rapid transition to marketable products – contributing to a resilient, climate-friendly energy supply for Germany and Europe.

The research building: The concept for the new CPC building, developed under the direction of Prof. Arno Kwade, envisions a research building divided into an office wing with four full floors and a penthouse, as well as a technical center with two full floors and half a technical floor. Both building sections are united by a connecting structure to form a single complex and are used by researchers from TU Braunschweig and TU Clausthal.

Completion is scheduled for the end of 2027. Up to 73 million euros are available for construction. More than half of this (38.6 million euros) is being provided by the state of Lower Saxony (of which 31.6 million euros) through the zukunft.niedersachsen program, 26.4 million euros are coming from the federal government, and eight million euros from the TU Braunschweig.

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