IMAGE, Innovative Manufacturing Routes for Next Generation Batteries in Europe, was a H2020 project running from 2017-2021 that addressed the development of lithium cells for automotive and stationary applications. The project aimed to develop a new type of Li-based rechargeable cell consisting of lithium metal, a gel-polymer-electrolyte, and NMC622 as cathode material.
Although a lot of the technologies and functional materials used in today´s lithium-ion cells have been developed at European universities and European companies, where cell production itself is dominated only by a few large companies originating in Asia. Especially in the critical field of cell manufacturing know-how, the competence has been lost over the last years.
The lack of cell production in Europe is considered problematic, especially with regard to the topic of electromobility which has taken an important turn in the automotive industry and daily life, strongly promoted by politics and driven by the environment. To regain competitiveness, IMAGE aimed to contribute to the development of next-generation of European rechargeable lithium cells, and to production know-how which is proving to be decisive.