One of the objectives that Comau pursues to encourage the decarbonization process of the industrial system is that of contributing to broadening the global debate on the importance of technological innovation and new applications in the field of electrification. This is seen through its participation in the 2023 edition of the Italian Workshop on Energy Storage (IWES), an event that was held in Bressanone (Italy) from January 25-27 and organized by GISEL, the Italian Group for Electrochemical Energy Storage. The workshop was aimed at academic and institutional organizations, and companies engaged at an international level in the research and development of innovative solutions for the production of electric batteries.
As a sponsor of the event, Comau illustrated its long and articulated experience in the production of lithium-ion batteries and in the manufacturing processes of new generation cells, such as solid-state batteries, to the participants of IWES 2023. Both Aldo D’Ambrosio, Business Development and Battery Cells Solution Owner in the Strategic Marketing & Solution Management, and Matteo Destro, Solution Development Leader in the Battery Global Competence Center of Comau, attended the study session.
Comau, thanks to its knowhow, is able to cover all phases of the production cycle of any type of battery – prismatic, cylindrical and pouch – from complete packs to the individual elements, including modules and cells. Together with international partners, the company also supports the design and construction of assembly systems for battery packs and the supply of cell construction plants. In particular, during the IWES workshop, Comau presented its collaboration with Ilika, with which it has been carrying out a project since 2021 to expand and optimize the production of Ilika’s Goliath solid-state cells on an industrial scale.
In Europe
Comau is a partner of Upcell – European Battery Manufacturing Alliance, an association that promotes the creation of a totally European value chain for the development and production of electric batteries. The company is also part of three important international consortia – the European Battery Alliance (EBA), the Batteries European Partnership Association (BEPA) and the European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) – all of which aim to encourage the growth of the European battery sector.
Still in the European context, Comau underlined its participation in numerous projects regarding electrification issues, as part of the HORIZON 2020 program.
With the aim of creating an increasingly virtuous exchange of skills in the university environment, Comau also presented the research projects in which it collaborates with various universities, including the Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino and the Politecnico di Bari. Such experiences have allowed the company to take part in transversal working groups and come into contact with new talents and young professionals to add to its staff. In fact, Comau firmly believes in the key role that people and their skills play in the energy transformation process. It is an approach that in recent years has led the company to consistently conduct internal reskilling and upskilling projects, which to date have involved over 1,000 employees worldwide.
Comau at IWES 2023
“Sponsoring IWES 2023 was an important opportunity for Comau to share its approach to electrification, its openness to collaboration with universities and research institutions, and discuss our most recent projects in this sector for multiple industrial entities,” – explained Aldo D’Ambrosio, e-Mobility Battery Cells Solution Owner at Comau. “Comau has long been working on the development of innovative solutions to meet the growing market demand in terms of production volumes, making its expertise available to reach new production horizons in the long term, such as solid state and post-lithium. With a view to building a strategic network of global importance, we actively collaborate with the main world manufacturers, participate in projects promoted by the European Union and are part of international organizations involved in the design and development of batteries and dedicated production solutions.”