The Braunschweig LabFactories for Batteries and more, or BLB+ for short, is a regional dynamic association of the leading research institutions in Lower Saxony that advances excellent research in the field of batteries, converters and fuel cells.
Battery research has taken place in the Braunschweig area since 2008. Currently, the BatteryLabFactory (BLB) provides large infrastructures for the production and recycling of battery cells and is known worldwide as a premier research centre, located at the Technical University of Braunschweig and supported by the Universities in Clausthal and Hannover, Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST as well as the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. In future, more research centres will enrich the ecosystem and the Braunschweig LabFactories for Batteries and more will then combine the excellent research and comprehensive expertise of the following three research centres:
The future of energy supply and mobility depends on innovations in battery and hydrogen technology. For this reason, the centres joined as BLB+ consolidate the research resources and establish mutually beneficial partnerships while providing a unified platform for the centres and the participating research institutions (TU Braunschweig, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, TU Clausthal, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt PTB, Leibniz Universität Hannover) to collaborate and initiate innovations. Currently, about 150 researchers are conducting research in the BLB+ laboratories, and once all buildings and infrastructure are completed in 2027, this number is expected to exceed 250. True to the motto “From the lab to application” the BLB+ facilities essentially cover TRL levels 3 to 7. Higher TRL levels can be served in collaboration with Fraunhofer FFB.
The mission of BLB+ is to elevate the visibility of our regional research and to play a leading role worldwide in research into energy storage, particularly batteries as well as energy converters, particularly fuel cells. In this way, BLB+ is making a significant impact on the energy supply and mobility, as well as security technology, world of work, medicine, and private household applications. The future of Germany and Europe hinges on breakthroughs in battery and hydrogen technology. Without in-depth knowledge of these energy system components, Germany and Europe will lose touch with important future technologies and become dependent on Asia and America for many products.
The BLB+ association already plays a globally outstanding role in the circular production of lithium-ion batteries. Accordingly, the primary research focus of BLB+ is on developing sustainable energy storage and conversion systems through an innovative circular economy approach that integrates production and recycling. In particular, advancing circular production and circular economy for next-generation batteries, especially solid-state batteries, and energy converters (fuel cells and electrolyzers) will aim to enhance the global role of this initiative. The following research activities are therefore included:
BLB+ members are convinced that the sustainable circular production of batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers is essential for a cleaner and more resilient future. BLB+ research in the fields of production technology and recycling aim to contribute to the development of solutions that support both technological progress and environmental sustainability.