ABB and Northvolt partner for Li-ion battery plant

ABB and Northvolt have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a wide-ranging supply and technology partnership, including products and services for Northvolt’s lithium-ion battery factory and close collaboration on development of battery solutions and research and development activities.

ABB Technology Ventures (ATV) will support the initial phase of this project through an early investment. Northvolt is going to build a lithium-ion battery factory in Sweden. Supported by ABB’s industrial automation expertise, integrating robotics, machine and factory automation, electrification and ABB Ability — ABB’s unified, cross-industry digital offering — into one overall solution, the factory will supply European customers in the automotive and key industries with high-quality and customisable battery solutions. The factory is expected to start production in 2020.

“We are excited to support Northvolt’s project to build the battery factory of the future here in one of our home countries,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer.

Peter Carlsson, CEO of Northvolt, said, “The world is moving quickly towards electrification. We want to enable this transition by building the largest, cutting-edge lithium-ion battery factory on the European continent and producing the world’s greenest batteries. ABB is at the forefront of the electrification, and we are delighted to have them on board as strategic partner, key supplier and investor.”

The products and services that ABB intend to supply include a fully integrated robotics, automation and electrification solution including ABB’s distributed control system ABB Ability System 800xA as well as advanced digital solutions such as ABB Ability Manufacturing Operations Management, making this factory a true showcase for Industry 4.0.

Both partners have agreed on a technology collaboration to drive innovation in battery technology in areas such as production platform, cell and module design, and battery performance. The companies intend to have a close collaboration on development of battery solutions for mobile and stationary applications, including the potential sourcing of batteries.