InoBat Auto, an EV battery production company has bought a 290,000 sq ft (27,000 sq m) former TV factory close to Bratislava.
The property will house a claimed world first 100MWh facility combining proprietary High Throughput Process (HTP) R&D with prototype battery cell-manufacturing capabilities under one roof.
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The factory is expected to be the first in the world to produce batteries to specifications of the vehicle manufacturer, rather than selling from a catalogue, and will enable European electric vehicle manufacturers to reduce dependence on imports from Asia.
A spokesman said the company was in discussion with unnamed OEMs.
InoBat Auto said production would contribute to a strong European energy production and storage infrastructure now recognised as vital for growth and EU technological independence, particularly after the supply chain disruption demonstrated by recent restrictions following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Backed by IPM Group and Wildcat Discovery Technologies, InoBat Auto plans to manufacture its first bespoke battery cells in 2021.
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By GlobalDataThrough the use of Wildcat's proprietary R&D, InoBat Auto will have the ability to continuously and rapidly develop next generation customer specific battery cells through HTP and AI.
Voderady is 40km (25 miles) from Bratislava and close to nine OEMs including Peugeot, Kia and Jaguar Land Rover.
The R&D centre will complete the first phase and will be followed by fundraising for Phase 2 – a EUR1bn gigafactory which will provide an estimated 240,000 EVs with batteries by 2024.
InoBat Auto acquired the site from Korean technology group, Fine DNC.
Redevelopment of the site for battery manufacture in scale is set to begin later this year and will create an estimated 150 new jobs.
Marian Bocek, Co-Founder, InoBat Auto said: "The acquisition of the Voderady site is a landmark step to realising our vision and will be vital to accelerating the much-needed electrification of all forms of transport.
"Being able to combine cutting edge R&D with scale manufacturing capabilities in one site will allow us to select the optimum composition of battery materials to meet the bespoke performance requirements of vehicle manufacturers, whilst also creating a powerful supply chain in the heart of Europe."
