Auke Kronemeijer on 'Next-gen Equipment for Batteries and Battery Materials'

Who is Auke, and what is your background?

I am a Frisian from the north of the Netherlands, with an academic background in chemistry, physics, and nanoscience. I completed both my master's and PhD at the University of Groningen. My research has always focused on topics at the intersection of chemistry and physics, with a specific focus on the electronic properties of materials. After my PhD, I lived abroad for a while, working at the University of Cambridge, among other places. A few years later, I joined TNO at the Holst Centre, where I have now been working for about nine years. In the early years, we mainly focused on flexible displays, but over time, I was asked to set up other programs using similar technologies. For the past three years, I have been the head of the Thin Film Electronics department. Our focus is on energy solutions, such as batteries and electrolyzers, as well as healthcare technologies, such as organ-on-chip, and semiconductor applications like chip packaging.

What is the goal of your research and development in battery technology?

Our research and development in battery technology aim to promote employment and prosperity, both in the Brainport region and more broadly in the Netherlands and Europe. By leveraging the existing ecosystem around companies like ASML, we explore new markets and support revenue growth and job creation. At TNO’s Holst Centre, we work on "Innovation Orchestration." By bringing companies together early to innovate collectively, we allow both technology and businesses to grow towards the market.

In terms of battery technology, our focus is on improving the performance of battery cells. This means working on larger capacity, faster charging times, and longer lifespan. Additionally, we naturally focus on battery safety. Every now and then, we hear reports about lithium-ion batteries causing severe fires, for example, in electric cars. Putting out such a fire is challenging because lithium continues to burn and can only be extinguished by completely submerging the car in water. We want to prevent these kinds of issues with our innovations, as there currently is no better solution.

What exactly does the NXTGEN project "Next-gen Equipment for Batteries and Battery Materials" entail?

The NXTGEN project "Next-gen Equipment for Batteries and Battery Materials" focuses on developing innovative technologies for producing battery cells and battery materials, with an emphasis on improving the silicon anode. Although silicon anodes were not invented by us, we see great opportunities to contribute to their production with our high-tech expertise. Our goal is to lower costs and improve performance through technological innovations, giving us a competitive advantage in the market. In essence, we are developing supply technology for battery factories. The aim is to eventually operate as a supplier to these factories, which is exactly what we are trying to achieve within the NXTGEN project.

Silicon Anodes and Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition

The project focuses on two technologies: silicon anodes and spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (sALD) technology, with two potential production models. The first approach is to produce silicon anode powder, applying an ALD coating to the powder. This product can then be sold as a raw material to battery factories. Currently, two companies, E-magy and Powall, are working on this part of the project.

The second option is to apply a silicon film on copper foil, followed by an sALD layer. This opens up two possible business models: either supplying the coated foils to battery factories or developing machines that battery factories can use for production. This provides the Netherlands an opportunity to make cell technology available to these factories, with two companies, LeydenJar and SALD, already actively engaged in this process.

Scalability and Innovation: The Path to Success

There are many opportunities, but the challenges are also significant, especially because many of these technologies are being developed by startups and scale-ups. Battery factories, especially in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, place extremely high demands on the technology. To convince these factories, we initially focus on our own heavy industry ecosystem, which includes companies like VDL and DAF. This is an important “stepping stone”: to further develop the technology and enable broader rollout to the EV market later on.

Scalability is a significant challenge. What works on a small scale is not always easy to scale up. It is also financially risky because the required machines are large and expensive. Thanks to the funding from the NXTGEN program, we can accelerate this process and mitigate the risks.

Collaborating on the Technology of Tomorrow

The companies participating in this project, such as LeydenJar, SALD, Powall, and E-magy, are already working on scaling up. LeydenJar, for instance, is building a larger version of their original pilot tool, which was developed earlier by TNO at the Holst Centre. SALD is working on a larger version of their sALD tool, and Powall is developing a pilot machine for 100 kg of material. E-magy is also taking steps to implement their technology on a larger scale.

Additionally, research institutions play a crucial role in this project. They have in-depth knowledge of ALD technology and know exactly how to build different layers in a scalable way. We are also focusing on combining solid-state electrolytes with silicon anodes, which is essential for battery safety. This new technology is being tested in the project’s battery cells to ensure performance and safety.

As a future supplier to battery factories, does that mean we’ll be going international?

Yes, absolutely. We aim to become a supplier for battery factories outside the Netherlands. There may be a battery factory in the Netherlands to accelerate R&D for heavy-duty applications, but the ultimate goal is export. If we succeed in this Dutch niche market, we can export our technologies to the rest of Europe and the world.

The market is currently so large that there are various opportunities to gain market share. However, it remains unclear which technologies and companies will gain the most traction. But I believe the market is big enough for multiple players and diverse solutions. The success of these technologies will depend on how well they can scale and demonstrate their reliability. That is why these “stepping stones” are so important: we need to enable companies to scale up and prove that their technology is dependable. Confidence in technology is essential, and that comes from taking the right steps, together with the government, the business community, and the potential market. This is also emphasized by the recent Tech Champions Manifest.

What does the growth fund mean for the project partners at this moment?

The companies participating in the NXTGEN project have already raised investments based on their roadmaps, but the NXTGEN funding allows them to accelerate scaling up. It also inspires confidence among investors, leading to further investments. However, this also brings responsibility: companies must demonstrate that they have market-ready technologies and sufficient production capacity.

Four companies are involved in the NXTGEN project, each with clearly defined business cases. This collaboration has already led to concrete steps, such as LeydenJar’s announcement of a factory in Eindhoven, partly thanks to this project. The beauty of this project is that it accelerates these types of initiatives.

What would you like to see when the NXTGEN project concludes in three years?

The main goal is further scaling. We are currently scaling R&D tools to initial pilot tools, but these pilots ultimately need to be integrated into production processes. The gap between what we can achieve now and what EV factories will eventually need is still significant, so this process must be implemented step-by-step.

Ideally, the first pilot tools will be operational in various locations in the Netherlands (and possibly abroad), with demand for larger tools and orders from battery factories. The technology we are currently developing should have proven effective on a larger scale, at the right cost and performance levels. This would lead to new orders and further scaling.

The ideal future is a fully integrated supply chain from cell technology to battery pack integration, where all links work together, innovate, and provide feedback. But it all begins with maturing cell technology and offering diverse battery types based on proven Dutch technology. This would enable us to become strategically more autonomous and less dependent on batteries from countries like China. The Dutch innovation policy and stimulus funds play a crucial role in this.