Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB), renowned for supporting industry-specific research and development, has recently inked a blanket agreement with Blue Solutions. Blue Solutions, part of the Bolloré Group, boasts a 12-year track record in designing and manufacturing lithium metal and polymer all-solid-state batteries for commercial vehicles in both Europe and North America.
The collaboration with Blue Solutions prominently centers on three pivotal research areas. First, there’s a focus on the automation of battery pack and module disassembly, aiming to simplify the reuse of batteries. Second, they are leveraging digital twin technology to model both the cell and a portion of the production process. Lastly, they are undertaking accelerated aging tests on cells to evaluate their longevity.
Central to this partnership is the Swiss Battery Technology Center (SBTC) under SIPBB. SBTC has been notably active in its mission to develop sustainable battery solutions, as previously witnessed in its efforts to introduce more ecological technologies that align with the circular economy principles. In a broader sense, SIPBB, with its four research centers, continues to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, something unique and pivotal to Switzerland’s innovative vision.
Bolsters battery innovations through strategic regional partnerships
This partnership is synchronous with the announcement of two other collaborations that Blue Solutions has with Swiss academic entities – the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) in Neuchâtel.
Richard Bouveret, the CEO and Chairman of Blue Solutions, articulated the significance of this collaboration: “Our partnership with SIPBB’s Swiss Battery Technology Center will fortify our core principles – Safe, Clean, and Smart solutions. Joint endeavors such as accelerated aging tests, AI-backed battery pack disassembly, and the introduction of the Battery Twin Digital underscore the caliber of Switzerland’s applied research establishments. We are immensely proud to join hands with them.”
