The joint venture Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has selected the Italian automation specialist Comau to develop an integrated battery module production line for its planned Gigafactory in France. ACC has also signed an MoU with Siemens to become ACC’s preferred supplier of automation, digitalisation and electrification technology.
Automotive Cells Company (ACC) is the battery cell joint venture between Stellantis, TotalEnergies/Saft and Mercedes-Benz, and will use the new integrated battery module production line from Comau, which is itself part of the Stellantis Group, in its upcoming Gigafactory in Billy-Bercalu Douvrain in northern France. The flexible production lines developed by Comau are designed for both 8- and 16-cell modules. Comau says its production lines should enable ACC to produce up to 8-gigawatt hours annually by the end of 2024.
The ACC plant is meant to eventually ramp up to 40 GWh. Under the terms of the agreement, Comau will supply ACC with both the expertise and equipment needed to automate the manufacturing of the next-generation EV batteries. Comau has already been contracted by several other European battery plants. Most recently, Italvolt revealed its plans to open an electric vehicle battery plant in spring 2023, which will be with the help of Comau.
Jean-Baptiste Pernot Automotive Cells Company COO, explained: “The emergence of a European equipment industry is a key success factor for ACC, whose ambition is to be a European leader of automotive battery cells and modules. In Europe, we cannot depend exclusively on sourcing that would only be Asian. We must facilitate the establishment of an entire battery ecosystem, covering the entire value chain.” He elaborated that: “Throughout the project, Comau’s engineering team has demonstrated their commitment to our success, improving both our process design and the seamless optimization of proprietary and non-Comau equipment.”
Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Siemens. Here, Siemens is to become ACC’s preferred supplier in the areas of automation, digitalisation and electrification technology. Siemens says that this should enable ACC to increase production and maximise plant and energy efficiency.
Siemens says its digital twin technology should help ACC accelerate progress in its gigafactories in Billy-Berclau Douvrin, France, Kaiserslautern, Germany and “potentially” in Termoli, Italy.
comau.com, siemens.com
Keyword: ACC utilises Comau and Siemens for battery production