On June 5th, the University of Namur hosted the official launch of the BatFactory project portfolio, a flagship initiative aimed at driving Wallonia’s leadership in sustainable battery technologies. This ambitious project focuses on developing high-performance materials for energy storage batteries through eco-friendly, intelligent, and circular processes, crucial for the future of energy transition.

With €11.4 million in funding from the Walloon Recovery Plan, BatFactory brings together academic and industrial expertise, involving partners such as UNamur, UMONS, ULiège, UCLouvain, ULB, Materia Nova, CRM Group, and CENAERO, supported by the MecaTech cluster. The project also aligns with the Walloon Region’s goal to position itself as a major player in the rapidly growing battery sector.

Minister Willy Borsus, who spoke at the event, emphasized that the demand for battery storage—and the materials needed to manufacture them—will rise significantly in the coming years. He highlighted the importance of BatFactory as a key starting point for the BatteryWal initiative, aiming to establish a complete battery production value chain in Wallonia by 2030. This network will support energy communities, sustainable housing, and e-mobility, positioning Wallonia at the forefront of this critical sector.

Professor Bao Lian Su, coordinator of the project, outlined the four key pillars of BatFactory: the production and functionalization of eco-responsible active materials, semi-industrial production of electrodes, semi-automated assembly and instrumentation, and battery pack production and management systems.

The event gathered over 100 attendees from academia and industry, marking a significant step forward for Wallonia in its journey to become a leader in battery innovation and sustainable energy solutions.