Ohio State partners with international manufacturer as new Battery Center renovations set to begin

A leading international equipment manufacturer has partnered with The Ohio State University’s new Battery Cell Research and Demonstration Center, paving the way for new advancements in battery cell manufacturing needed in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, as well as expanding access to cutting-edge equipment, education and workforce training in the United States.

Germany-based partner Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH and their U.S. distributor next Machinery Group, Inc. will sponsor the acquisition of a cutting-edge equipment line for battery cell coating, which will enable users to experiment with different materials, processes and configurations at varying scales of production.

Ohio State is set to open the new $22 million, 22,000-square-foot battery center in June 2025. Managed by , the center will accelerate domestic production of battery cell materials and manufacturing technologies, while also serving as a hands-on training hub for workforce development in advanced battery technology.

“This partnership with Coatema and next Machinery Group will substantially boost the Battery Center’s capability to provide access to state-of-the-art technology, expertise and support for battery manufacturing research,” said battery center acting director Jay Sayre, who also serves as IMR director of innovation. “This collaboration will enable the center to conduct larger-scale experiments, optimize production processes, and accelerate the development of advanced battery technologies. It will bring academia and industry closer together, which strengthens Ohio State’s leadership in battery research and development and boosts U.S. production capacity for EV batteries.”

With the center’s goal to bridge the gap between fundamental research and battery cell manufacturing, Coatema’s Click&Coat machine line will serve as an integral set of tools in the development of high-quality, consistent battery cells for the market.

The coating process is a critical step in battery manufacturing, particularly for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. In coating, thin layers of active materials are applied onto current collectors to form electrodes. This layer of material allows the battery to store and release energy. With the careful application of this coating, manufacturers ensure the battery will function properly and efficiently, providing the power needed for devices ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles.

University researchers, students and industry users will be able to customize the coating configurations of the new machine line to scale to the scope of their specific project, from the lab to pilot production line.

“We are excited to collaborate with The Ohio State University on this groundbreaking project. Our Click&Coat machine line will empower researchers and industry professionals with the tools needed to advance battery cell manufacturing, ultimately driving innovation in the EV sector,” said Thomas Kolbusch, VP of Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH.

Coatema develops and builds lab, pilot and production equipment for coating, printing and laminating processes in sectors such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, solar and printed electronics.

The partnership also brings a new opportunity to connect around state-of-the-art equipment, bringing Coatema R&D teams and other industry users from Germany to train and demonstrate system capabilities alongside Ohio State faculty and students.

“This long-term, strategic partnership is a remarkable opportunity for knowledge exchange and technological advancement,” said Tomi Belosevic, President and CEO of next Machinery Group, Inc. “By connecting our technological know-how, market-leading equipment, and industry experts with Ohio State’s researchers, faculty, and students, we aim to foster innovation and accelerate the development of cutting-edge battery technologies. This collaboration will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Battery Center, creating a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the evolving battery market for all project partners including Honda, Schaeffler, Coatema, and us. This is why we are committed to supporting the Battery Center with multiple donations over the next several years,” he said, adding that domestic energy research and production is a matter of national security, “a challenge we are actively pursuing to overcome, right here in America.”

next Machinery Group is Coatema’s North American distributor specializing in coating, printing, and lamination solutions, with a strong focus on battery, fuel cells, electrolyzer, solar, and printed electronics technologies.

In addition to workforce training for specific system use and automakers transitioning to EV manufacturing, the center will serve as a learning space for students in materials, manufacturing, and beyond, offering internships and other experiential learning opportunities in a rapidly evolving, clean-tech manufacturing environment.

“Having this capability will allow students the opportunity for hands-on training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and project-based learning that will foster a skilled workforce capable of advancing EV technology and translating research into real-world applications,” Sayre said.

Honda, the lead foundational partner, has committed $15 million to the research and development center, while Schaeffler Americas also serves as a foundational partner. Federal funding for the center was provided through the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Extramural Construction program, thanks to the efforts of congressional champions U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty and Mike Carey. The project was also endorsed by the State of Ohio and JobsOhio.

Story by Mike Huson, IMR communications coordinator.

Contact: huson.4@osu.edu

Follow: @OhioStateIMR