Belgian round expertise group Umicore and Volkswagen Group-backed battery firm PowerCo have introduced the identify and branding of their first-of-its form cooperation.
Their Brussels-headquartered three way partnership for large-scale industrial manufacturing of CAM and pCAM in Europe will bear the identify IONWAY. Each events purpose to develop IONWAY’s annual manufacturing capability to 160 GWh p.a. by the top of the last decade, similar to 2.2 m battery-electric automobiles.
IONWAY is designed to produce PowerCo’s European battery cell factories with key battery supplies and canopy a big a part of PowerCo’s EU demand, whereas offering Umicore with safe entry to an vital a part of the European demand for EV cathode supplies.
IONWAY is the first-of-its-kind partnership between a automotive producer primarily based in Europe and a worldwide main producer of CAM, producing sustainable battery supplies for the EV transition and a zero-emission future. Each dad or mum corporations are deeply dedicated to scaling up the EU footprint within the e-mobility enterprise by establishing regional, sustainable and clear battery provide chains.
Cathode energetic supplies are the important thing technological lever for battery efficiency; they’re the only greatest contributor to general battery price and outline its carbon footprint. They’re thus strategically vital enter supplies central to battery worth creation, and essential for a profitable powertrain transition in the direction of sustainable e-mobility.
IONWAY will mix the assets and know-how that propel this transition and make sustainable progress accessible, banding collectively to construct a brand new momentum with high- efficiency battery expertise in a robust partnership.
Umicore-CEO Mathias Miedreich: “IONWAY is a start-up with a major head begin, as a result of our partnership is constructed on strong foundations with Volkswagen’s PowerCo and Umicore, key gamers within the electrical mobility transformation. IONWAY will little doubt develop into an business reference in e-mobility, boosting innovation, creating a whole lot of extremely expert jobs, and can make the power transition occur.”
PowerCo-CEO Frank Blome: “By IONWAY, PowerCo reaches one other milestone of our technique to vertically combine the battery provide chain. Along with our trusted associate Umicore, we supply our personal key cell manufacturing supplies at affordable costs. Safe entry permits PowerCo to produce cost-competitive battery cells to Volkswagen Group for years to come back ‒ enabling its manufacturers to supply engaging, reasonably priced EVs to its clients.”
IONWAY-CEO Thomas Jansseune: “The muse of IONWAY sends a robust sign for the roll- out of battery cell expertise in Europe. We consider this firm will present some vital constructing blocks in serving to the European Union to realize its Inexperienced Deal ambitions.”
Thomas Jansseune has taken the helm as IONWAY’s first Chief Govt Officer on 1 July 2023, following 22 years at Umicore. In his final function, he led Umicore’s New Enterprise Incubation with initiatives in enterprise capital, solid-state batteries, decarbonisation, battery recycling, and hydrogen electrolysis. Previous to that, he was in control of Company Growth, held roles in advertising and marketing and gross sales, and served as managing director of a valuable metals refining plant. Jansseune holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
CFO Achim Holzer joined IONWAY from Volkswagen Group Know-how the place he served as Head of Worth Engineering & Central Buying Features. Earlier than he was Head of Worth Engineering at AUDI. Holzer holds a doctoral diploma in economics from College of Passau.
Oct 9, 2023