The promotion of electric and hybrid transportation also poses major technological challenges, such as finding solutions to aspects related to batteries, in order to increase their energy efficiency and useful life, reduce their environmental impact or increase their profitability.

In this context and with the aim of offering solutions to significantly improve the energy density, cost and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries, the Eco-Smart Batt project was born in 2020, with a partnership led by Ferroglobe Innovation and formed by the Multisectoral Research Technology Centre (Cetim), Enso Innovation, ABCR Labs and Ártabro Tech.

Throughout its four-year duration, new research was carried out in sustainable and smart manufacturing of materials and their synergistic combinations. The development of monitoring, control and simulation technologies was a key element in designing more efficient and cost-effective production processes, thus facilitating the evolution and transformation of the transport sector towards sustainability, decarbonisation and emission reduction.

More specifically, the main objective of Eco-Smart Batt was the sustainable and smart manufacturing of different products and nanocomposites to form a new wave of high energy density lithium-ion battery products. The project aimed to improve third and fourth generation batteries used in hybrid and electric vehicles.

In addition, to improve the efficiency, traceability and reproducibility of the manufacturing processes of the various materials and products, the project conducted a study of cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies: process digitalisation and digital twins of the processes for obtaining silicon and cellulose micro and nanoparticles; muon tomography in the silicon purification phase; automation of the assembly of electrochemical cells by means of advanced robotics and design of digital twins of the process, and traceability from the origin to the end products by means of blockchain.

Smart and Sustainable Factory Programme

The project, which had a total budget of 2.7 million euros, was granted 1.7 million euros through the Smart and Sustainable Factory programme run by the Xunta de Galicia, co-financed by the European Union through Feder funds from the Feder Galicia 2014-2020 operational programme.

The aim of this initiative is to support R&D and innovation projects of a strategic nature for the Galician industrial fabric, which focus on the development of digital and green technologies that are essential for achieving an innovative production model.

This line of aid has a great impact on the Galician innovation ecosystem insofar as it supports industry-transforming projects and thus boosts the competitiveness of the Galician economy through knowledge. It also encourages cooperation between research organisations and the business fabric.