BOSCH to build graphene aluminium-ion battery plant for GMG

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (GMG) has announced it has signed a collaboration arrangement with Robert Bosch Australia Pty Ltd (BOSCH) with the aim for BOSCH to design and deliver a graphene aluminium-ion battery (G+AI battery) manufacturing plant.

BOSCH will support GMG in learning and developing the automation of the battery assembly process and use the results from the GMG G+AI Battery pilot plant to support the scaling of these into fully automated plants. The parties’ intent is for BOSCH to become GMG’s engineering, design and construction contractor for GMG’s near and long-term battery cell manufacturing facility needs (both coin cell and pouch pack).

“We are proud and excited to be partnering with BOSCH,” said GMG’s Managing Director and CEO, Craig Nicol. “They are a major, world-leading company in this space with outstanding capability to help provide highly automated, efficient, and reliable battery manufacturing plants. It has been great working with the BOSCH Australia team so far and we look forward to building a strong long-term partnership with them.”

“We are delighted to have been chosen by GMG as its long-term factory automation partner,” said Gavin Smith, President of BOSCH Australia. “We are excited to bring Bosch’s world-class technology and expertise to support GMG commercialise its innovative battery technology, with an automated coin cell manufacturing plant the first cab off the ranks.”

GMG’s commitment to an initial commercial G+AI Battery manufacturing plant, which is planned to produce batteries in coin cell format, is expected to follow successful commercial G+AI Battery prototype development and a final investment decision. The location is not yet decided but is expected to be in Australia where GMG’s headquarters and existing operations are located.

The G+AI Battery pilot plant equipment has been received and the company intends to commence construction and commissioning shortly.

Following previously announced performance results of GMG’s G+AI Battery and highly encouraging customer feedback, the company believes that it remains on track to develop a commercial prototype coin cell battery before the end of 2021, and thus continues to progress preparations for a commercial scale battery manufacturing facility in parallel.