Two Fraunhofer institutes and South Korea’s SGC Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding covering the development and industrialisation of battery systems and materials.
The agreement brings together the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and SGC Energy. Battery research forms part of a wider programme also covering CO₂ electrolysis, hydrogen and fuel cells.
For batteries, Fraunhofer IAP will contribute its work on polymer solid electrolytes and binders, alongside its experience in scaling polymer energy materials to industrially relevant production levels. Fraunhofer UMSICHT will provide expertise in electrochemistry, engineering and testing, while SGC Energy will contribute industrial requirements and commercialisation experience.
Specific battery projects, chemistries, production targets and timescales have not yet been disclosed. The partners said they would define individual research and development initiatives over the coming months.
Fraunhofer IAP is developing solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion, sodium-ion and zinc-air batteries. Some of its laboratory systems have achieved room-temperature ionic conductivity above 10⁻⁴ S/cm, according to information released by the institute in March.
Its work also includes polymer composite electrolytes and cathodes. One approach combines sodium vanadium phosphate cathode material with the same polymer matrix used in the electrolyte, intended to reduce resistance at the interface between the cathode and solid electrolyte.
The institute is separately developing PFAS-free battery separators with adjustable pore structures and bio-based electrode carbon materials made from cellulose and lignin. Functional samples have been produced at laboratory scale and initial testing in complete cells is under way.
Alexander Böker, director of Fraunhofer IAP, said: “With this cooperation, we are creating a framework in which material development, system integration, and practical application are considered together from the outset. Whether in CO₂ electrolysis, hydrogen, fuel cells, or batteries, a climate-neutral industry requires high-performance materials, robust components, and partners who consistently drive research toward practical application.”
SGC Energy will also investigate combining its carbon-capture and power infrastructure with Fraunhofer technology for deployment in South Korea. The largest part of the announced programme concerns the electrochemical conversion of captured CO₂ into chemical feedstocks or synthetic fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel.
Photo: Christian Doetsch, Director of Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Ken Yoon, Chief Strategy Officer of SGC Energy, and Alexander Böker, Director of Fraunhofer IAP agree to jointly further develop technologies for energy conversion and storage
Credit: Fraunhofer UMSICHT
