Shibaura Machine Co, the Japanese advanced industrial machinery specialist, has made an investment in AM Batteries, a Massachusetts-based start-up. AM has developed a new production method for scaling up lithium-ion dry electrode manufacturing technology.
Financial details were not disclosed.
The process is called dry electrostatic spraying and consists of four steps compared to seven in the conventional electrode manufacturing process. AM Batteries claims the method offers 40% lower CO2 emissions, 40% less energy consumption and 40% lower CAPEX. No solvents are needed, it said.
Shibaura supplies lithium-ion battery separator film production lines. The company will work with AM Batteries to develop innovative electrode manufacturing methods.
“As a leader in dry battery electrode technology, AM Batteries is committed to transforming the way batteries are manufactured. Shibaura Machine’s investment and collaboration bring invaluable expertise and resources that will accelerate our ability to scale and provide turn-key solutions to battery manufacturers worldwide”, said Lie Shi, CEO of AM Batteries.
Other investors in AM Batteries include TDK Ventures, Toyota Ventures and the chemical industry investor Zeon Ventures. Shibaura Machine is the first production line engineering company to invest in AM Batteries, which was founded by Dr Yan Wang, the co-inventor of the dry electrode technology.
