Eurocell EMEA, the new Anglo-Korean battery company, is set to build its first European gigafactory, producing “proven” production-ready technologies in just 12 months, which it says is far faster than other gigafactories. This is possible because Eurocell already has “proven” battery products ready for scaled-up manufacturing. With an initial £600 million investment planned over two phases, it intends to supply European energy storage and e-mobility applications, with full capacity reached as early as 2025.
The company is actively looking at sites, with the final choice heavily dependent on gaining the right level of central government support and investment. The host country selected will benefit from the creation of hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, transferring vital skills from Korean battery experts, and boosting the economy in a strategic sector crucial to achieving Europe’s net-zero ambitions.
“To fulfill our mission, we are actively seeking a European manufacturing base and are in advanced discussions with sites in the UK, Netherlands, and Spain,” said Recardo Bruins, CEO of Eurocell EMEA. “With the right level of central engagement and support, we are keen to take advantage of the rapidly growing European market as quickly as possible.”
The Eurocell batteries developed in Korea are said to have considerable technical advantages. The company says that they last over ten times longer than conventional lithium-ion cells, making them far more sustainable; they have no “end of life” issues; and are good for ESS (energy storage system) applications given they are 100% safe and high performance. Their range of operating temperatures also makes them suitable for areas with extreme weather and without an existing grid network.
“Eurocell in the UK is a new company, led by a highly experienced UK team and backed by our South Korean partner with decades of experience in electrochemistry, making batteries at mass scale and building the gigafactories to produce them,” added Bruins. “Now we are planning to rapidly expand in Europe, supplying the energy storage and automotive industries with our market-leading technologies that last longer, perform better, and are 100% safe. These products can be on the market in months, not years.”
The European operation aims to replicate Eurocell’s South Korean facilities to roll out at scale in Europe. CEO Bruins is getting help from a management team that includes Jonathan Whitbread, Chief Investment Officer; Nick Clay, Chief Commercial Officer, formerly from Arrival; Dan Clay, Chief Financial Officer; Lawrence Fagg, Chief Operating Officer, ex F1 engineer; Hyunho Lee, Operations Director; and Byungkwan Lee, R&D Director.
Established in 2018, the South Korean operations have been setting up a supply chain with Indong Advanced Materials for making artificial graphite and FIC Advanced Materials for manufacturing silicon anode materials for high-power and high-energy batteries. Its high-power UFC battery features more than 4 kW/kg specific power and the high-energy UHC battery produces greater than 300 W·h/kg specific energy.
Eurocell intends to construct its new gigafactory in two phases. The first phase will begin producing advanced battery cells at scale by early 2023 for existing customers. In parallel, a custom facility will be constructed on the same site, capable of producing in excess of 40 million cells per year by 2025.
Eurocell UK factory rendering.
