High-tech facility designer, Exyte, yesterday announced a deal with Volkswagen to build a state-of-the-art dry room within the company's battery cell gigafactory currently under construction in Salzgitter, Germany. The dry room will be massive and span the equivalent of five soccer fields.
The factory will be VW's first group-owned battery cell factory and will begin producing unit cells in 2025. The cell factory will have an annual capacity of 40 GWh, enough to power some 500,000 electric vehicles.
Most Read on IEN:
- Podcast: Windham Weaponry Closes; Utz Shutters Oldest Plant; Jammed Tail Parts Caused Crash
- 94-Year-Old Toilet Maker Closing Up Shop
- Coal Industry On Track to Shed 1 Million Jobs
- Kia Calls New EV SUV a 'Wake-Up Call to the Industry'
Exyte is responsible for the design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the dry room, including exhaust treatment and particle monitoring for increased operator safety. Battery cell production requires a clean and dry environment that needs to be strictly monitored and controlled. Humidity and particle contamination must be kept at a minimum as they can impact battery cell quality and reliability.
VW's new plant will likely act as the blueprint as the automaker expands EV battery cell production across Europe and North America. Until 2030, VW plans to invest more than $20 billion developing its battery business. The company expects the segment to generate more than $20 billion in annual sales and create up to 20,000 jobs in Europe alone.
VW has also announced gigafactories in Valencia, Spain, and Ontario, Canada.
