Coatema Coating Machinery partners 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 Coatema and their US distributor next Machinery Group, Inc. will sponsor the acquisition of a cutting-edge equipment line for battery cell coating, which is expected to enable users to experiment with different materials, processes and configurations at varying scales of production.
New battery centre in 2025
Ohio State is set to open the new $22 million, 22,000-square-foot battery centre in June 2025. Managed by the Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research (IMR), the centre is expected to 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 centre acting director Jay Sayre, who also serves as IMR director of innovation. “This collaboration will enable the centre to conduct larger-scale experiments, optimise 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 US production capacity for EV batteries.”
With the centre’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.
Coatema’s cutting edge Click&Coat line for The Ohio State University (©Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH)
Coating as a critical process step
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 customise 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.
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.”
Learning space
In addition to workforce training for specific system use and automakers transitioning to EV manufacturing, the centre 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 centre, while Schaeffler Americas also serves as a foundational partner. Federal funding was provided through the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Extramural Construction programme, thanks to the efforts of congressional champions US Sen. Sherrod Brown and US Reps. Joyce Beatty and Mike Carey. The project was also endorsed by the State of Ohio and JobsOhio.
Caption: OSU’s battery centre acting director Jay Sayre, with Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Congressman Mike Carey, Coatema’s VP Thomas Kolbusch and the next Machinery Group team led by Tomi Belosevic at the announcement ceremony in Columbus, OH