New corporate headquarters for German battery pioneer – CustomCells opens future laboratory in Itzehoe.
CustomCells CEO Dr. Dirk Abendroth opened the new corporate headquarters of the German battery pioneer at the Itzehoe site today in the presence of representatives from politics and business. An innovative research center to enable the global energy and mobility transition with tailor-made battery cells. On the Energy Coast, premium battery cell technology is intended to become a global benchmark and sustainably strengthen the region . An opportunity of the century, as the company emphasizes.
Dr. Dirk Abendroth, CEO of the CustomCells Group, said:
This day has historical significance for us at CustomCells. Our new building at the Itzehoe site is more than just our corporate headquarters – it is our laboratory of the future.
“In order to systematically underpin and expand our own claim as a premium battery cell manufacturer, research is essential. We want to continue investing in Germany and massively increase the track record for patent applications.”
Last year this number was already in the double digits. The company was founded in 2012 as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and today is driving the global energy and mobility transition on the road, on the water and in the air with novel solutions and innovative battery cell technology.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in the far north in November 2022, and the approximately 160 employees at the location can now use the new corporate headquarters. The modern, four-story wooden building was built in a particularly resource-saving manner. For this purpose, Schütt Holzbau was a reliable partner from the region. The site is supplied entirely with electricity from renewable energies, and there are also electric charging stations on the factory premises. On a good 10,000 square meters, the adaptable room layout enables flexible new work concepts and space for meetings, dialogue and exchange.
The investments in the Itzehoe location are not over for CustomCells, as Abendroth emphasized in the presence of Claus Ruhe Madsen (Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Labor, Technology and Tourism of the State of Schleswig-Holstein). A so-called extruder, a state-of-the-art machine for global battery production, has already been ordered and the next expansion stages are being planned. When the foundation stone was laid, the company announced that it would expand the acquired property by a further 5,749 m² over the next five years.
Research strengthens the energy coast
Dr. Dirk Abendroth, CEO of the CustomCells Group, said:
“Our research center strengthens the energy coast. Together with our neighbors here at the site, we are setting technological beacons – and sending a signal from the far north to literally energize Germany as an industrial and economic location,”
“With state-of-the-art battery cell technology, we have the key to a once-in-a-century opportunity in our hands. The sustainable energy transition is not possible without powerful batteries. But this will not succeed without political support and a clear commitment to companies from the region.”
Only recently, the Federal Ministry of Research revealed plans to cut research funding for almost all application research on batteries for 2024 as a result of cuts to the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF). “I think it is legitimate to demand that, in addition to American, Chinese and Swedish companies, local hidden champions in Germany are equally supported,” appealed the CustomCells CEO in his speech.
CustomCells is committed to the Itzehoe location
CustomCells sees itself as a pioneer of modern battery technology. As a spin-off from the renowned Fraunhofer Institute, the company has the potential to enable the global energy and mobility transition. This also includes showing other companies and large corporations how to set up production for customized cells and bring them to series production. Since the company was founded around twelve years ago, more than 2,000 projects have been successfully completed for over 500 customers. More than 620,000 meters of electrodes were manufactured in Itzehoe alone.
In the past five years, CustomCells has tripled its sales and consistently remained in the black. Well-known investors such as Porsche AG, VSquared Ventures, the World Fund, Primepulse, 468 Capital, the Abacon Family Office and international technology investors have already invested more than 75 million euros in CustomCells. Porsche is not only an investor, but also a customer with whom a successful joint venture has been established. For Lilium, the battery pioneer is researching the limits of what is technically feasible.
CustomCells is working on innovative battery cells that use the prelithiation booster process to increase the energy and power density by more than ten times compared to conventional batteries. The company differentiates itself through the development and production of premium high-performance batteries for customers who have the highest demands on battery technology.
On the way to becoming a global player in the battery industry
Dirk Abendroth, said:
The success of the mobility transition is essentially linked to high-performance batteries. And so that these can be developed and produced tailored to customer needs, we at CustomCells have to grow even faster than before.
“We have a good chance of becoming a globally leading key company in the battery market. A market leader in the premium segment. This is an ambitious goal, but we are pursuing it with enthusiasm and consistency.”
Itzehoe is the home for CustomCells – and will remain so. Dirk Abendroth sees the opening of the new building as another milestone on the way to the top.
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New corporate headquarters for German battery pioneer – CustomCells opens future laboratory in Itzehoe. source
