Dürr and GROB, two leading engineering companies, have introduced a revolutionary concept factory for lithium-ion battery cell production at The Battery Show India 2025. This groundbreaking facility combines Dürr’s dry electrode coating technology and GROB’s high-speed Z-folder cell assembly with integrated notching, resulting in improved performance, quality, and reduced energy and space requirements. The joint collaboration aims to establish the companies as leading system suppliers of battery production equipment globally, with a focus on supporting India’s self-reliant battery ecosystem.
The concept factory represents a significant leap forward in battery manufacturing, reducing production space by 50% and energy consumption by 70%. Dürr’s X.Cellify DC dry coating system eliminates the need for drying, solvent recovery, and treatment, resulting in significant savings in energy, space, and cost. The process uses a dry-mixed powder that is pressed into a free-standing film and laminated onto both sides of a collector foil, enhancing material efficiency and allowing for complete recycling of excess material.
GROB’s new-generation Z-folder integrates the notching process, achieving high performance in a compact footprint with minimal deflection rollers and low web tension. The system ensures stability and reliability, with an advanced magazine buffer for electrodes achieving 95% system availability. Dürr has also developed a high-pressure electrolyte filling process that fills battery cells in a single step without residual gas, enabling precise dosing, faster filling, and improved electrolyte penetration into the active material.
The equipment solutions are enhanced by comprehensive digital integration, including a digital twin that simulates the factory during the planning phase and speeds up implementation. The data integrates with Dürr subsidiary iTAC’s MES/MOM software for full production control, traceability, and quality management, resulting in higher overall equipment effectiveness. For customers using traditional wet coating methods, Dürr offers turnkey electrode manufacturing solutions, including coating, drying, solvent recovery, distillation, and calendering.
The partnership between Dürr and GROB aims to drive India’s clean mobility transition with world-class manufacturing systems for lithium-ion batteries. By localizing advanced technologies and fostering partnerships with Indian battery manufacturers, the companies aim to strengthen India’s self-reliant battery ecosystem in support of the national Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With their expanded portfolio of high-performance machines and systems, Dürr and GROB now cover almost the entire value chain for battery cell production, making them a leading player in the industry.