Sustainable battery production in focus for new centre of excellence

Batteries are playing an increasingly important role in the electrification of society and the transition to a fossil-free energy system. At the same time, the growing battery industry is creating new demands for energy efficiency, robust production systems and long-term sustainability.

The Swedish Energy Agency has now granted funding for the centre of excellence INBATT, Integrated Battery Manufacturing Systems. Chalmers University of Technology will host the centre, with Björn Johansson, Professor in the Division of Production Systems at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, as its director.

Inbatt brings together researchers, research institutes, companies and public-sector organisations from across Sweden to advance battery production for the future. The aim is to develop the production systems and expertise needed for sustainable, resource-efficient and robust battery production, adapted to the energy systems of the future. The work will also contribute to innovation and competitiveness in the battery sector.

Adapting battery production to a changing energy system

As electrification accelerates, battery factories are becoming important players in the energy system while also being major energy consumers. A key area of research within Inbatt therefore focuses on how future battery production can become more flexible, energy-efficient and adaptable to an energy system undergoing rapid transition.

Through research into digitalisation, flexibility and intelligent control, Inbatt aims to develop production systems that use energy more efficiently, can adapt to changes in the electricity system and are less vulnerable to disruptions in the energy supply. This will become particularly important as electrification increases and industry's demand for fossil-free electricity grows.

Sustainability is a central theme throughout the centre’s activities. The research will contribute to lower energy consumption in battery production, more efficient use of materials and resources, and increased circularity across the entire battery value chain.

The initiative encompasses environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainability. The aim is to develop production systems that can meet future demand for batteries while using fewer resources and reducing environmental impact.

Research and collaboration to drive development

By bringing together researchers, research institutes and industry partners, INBATT will develop new knowledge in areas including digital manufacturing, data analytics, quality assurance, production development and the industrialisation of new battery technologies. Close collaboration between academia, research institutes and industry will enable faster knowledge exchange and help translate research results into practical applications. In this way, the centre can also contribute to innovation and strengthen competitiveness in the battery sector.

Building expertise for the future

Alongside its research, Inbatt will help educate the next generation of experts in the battery field. Skills development is a central part of the Swedish Energy Agency’s investment in centres of excellence. Through doctoral education, postdoctoral positions and close collaboration with industry, the centre will help build the expertise needed for the energy and industrial systems of the future.

From regional to national

In 2025, Chalmers launched MAXBATT with support from Region Västra Götaland. The new funding from the Swedish Energy Agency means that the regionally funded MAXBATT initiative will transition into the national INBATT centre in 2027.