As the United States strives to strengthen its position in battery manufacturing and close the gap with China’s production, ramp-up costs play a pivotal role. The expert talk “Reducing Ramp-Up Costs: Digital Tools and Local Ecosystems in US Battery Manufacturing” will address how digital tools and effective collaboration within local ecosystems mitigate risks, streamline processes, and help overcome major obstacles in scaling up battery production. By incorporating perspectives from cutting-edge research and industry use cases, the webinar will provide valuable insights into strategies for enhancing competitiveness in the global race of battery manufacturing.

The session will feature prominent speakers, including Kyle Veugeler, Technical Account Manager for Batteries at Siemens USA and Dr.-Ing. Christoph Baum, Head of the Fraunhofer Competence Center for Battery Cell Production USA at Fraunhofer IPT. The experts will discuss the major challenges faced during the startup phase in the US market and the importance of maintaining offtake agreements. Further, the expert talk will put a spotlight on the role of local ecosystems, including regional suppliers, energy grids, and academic partnerships, in supporting the industry and will examine how machine learning and digital tools—such as digital twins and IoT—can accelerate production timelines and decrease costs. The presentation will conclude with a forward-looking perspective, as both speakers will share insights on the future of US battery manufacturing over the next five years, including remarkable projects and successful use cases.