Schuler to develop into systems supplier for large-scale battery cell manufacturing

Germany-based Schuler has acquired the Italian mechanical engineering firm Sovema Group to become a systems supplier of battery cell manufacturing systems for the automotive industry and other sectors. Together with Sovema, Schuler will develop the capabilities needed to equip gigafactories for the mass production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

According to estimates, the production capacity provided by the annual output of lithium-ion batteries will increase approximately fivefold worldwide by 2030, compared with 2020. One-third of the planned capacity is expected to be produced in Europe. In addition to Germany, there are plans to build new gigafactories in Italy, Spain, France, the U.K., Sweden, Finland, Poland, and Hungary.

Sovema is an international supplier of battery cell production equipment and turnkey systems for the mass production of lead-acid batteries.

“With Schuler as owner, we can now combine Sovema’s technological expertise with our know-how in the production of complex lines for the mass manufacturing of parts and components,” said Schuler CEO Domenico Iacovelli. “This gives us the potential to develop Schuler into a turnkey supplier of technology for the core process steps of cell assembly and cell formation for existing or planned gigafactories dedicated to manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells.”