Press release

Strategic alliance for reliable, cost-optimised battery cells: Fraunhofer FFB and Kerkhoff Consulting combine expertise

Fraunhofer FFB and Kerkhoff, part of Interpath, have formed a strategic alliance to support companies in the cost-optimised procurement of battery cells.The core of the cooperation is a jointly developed cost modelling system that brings transparency to complex price structures.Allianz offers industrial customers systematic preparation and implementation of demanding supplier negotiations and provides concrete solutions for maximum efficiency at the lowest cost in development and planning processes for products and production.

Düsseldorf/Münster 22 May 2025

Battery cells have long since become a strategic component, a central value driver in many key industries. Whether as an energy source in e.g.B. vehicles, smartphones, drones or stationary storage devices. The demand for high-performance batteries in Europe is growing rapidly at around 25 % per year. Dependence on China is currently high. The EU has set a target of covering 90% of battery requirements from domestic production by 2030.

"Companies are faced with the challenge of reconciling fluctuating raw material prices, significant investment costs, non-transparent cost structures and high demands on sustainability and purchasing security", says Hendrik Walter, Head of Strategic Corporate Development at Fraunhofer FFB. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of innovative technological developments from German and European companies. On the contrary: developments are being made in all areas that have the potential to significantly advance battery cell production. These include product and production innovations, such as sodium-ion batteries or the dry coating process. However, the dynamics of innovation in particular make it difficult to make reliable cost forecasts and fact-based investment decisions. "The ability to correctly classify innovations and translate them into reliable planning is becoming a key factor in international competition", emphasises Walter.

"Production processes and cell chemistries are changing at a rapid pace due to research-based innovations, raw materials markets remain volatile and investments in production lines are capital-intensive. At the same time, customers and markets demand a rapid response, clear positioning and competitive cost structures.", say Andreas Dölecke and Jens Hornstein. The two senior partners and members of the management of Kerkhoff, part of Interpath, manage international projects for their industrial clients within the alliance.

Cost control along the entire value chain

The collaboration between Kerkhoff Consulting and Fraunhofer FFB enables end-to-end project solutions: Industrial customers benefit from detailed cost driver analyses and well-founded assessments of cost structures. This provides a reliable basis for investment decisions and negotiations.

This is complemented by calculation and negotiation skills based on methods of behavioural economics and game theory. Systematic preparation ensures professional behaviour in all conceivable negotiation and market situations. On this basis, it is determined which battery cells with specific performance parameters can be procured at which target costs.

Cooperation for cost-optimised battery cell production

Based on this joint methodology, concrete solutions are developed that closely interlink research and practice. "Our task as Fraunhofer FFB is to accelerate the transfer of research into industrial application. We thus ensure new, efficient and scalable production processes and technologies in the field of battery production. With Kerkhoff, we have a partner who transforms these into economical and resilient supply chains. Together, we offer customised solutions for the industry," highlights Dr. Florian Degen, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Fraunhofer FFB.

Andreas Dölecke emphasises economic viability as a decisive factor: "Technical innovations are only effective if they are also economically viable. This is where we combine our DNA with that of Fraunhofer FFB to help industrial customers make the best future-proof decisions with technological clarity and strategic negotiation expertise. Availability of the best technology at the best price."

Advantages for a wide range of industries

The result of the partnership is professionally negotiated value-added networks with reliable and predictable target costs. Companies benefit from strategic negotiations that open up financial leeway for complex procurement projects. These are industrial sectors in which modern battery technology is used: from household appliances and micromobility to automotive, mechanical engineering, defence, medical technology, energy and electronics.

Kerkhoff - part of Interpath

For more than 25 years, Kerkhoff Consulting, headquartered in Düsseldorf, has been convincing its customers with customised solutions that are also implemented jointly. As 'Kerkhoff, part of Interpath', the procurement specialists form the international competence centre for purchasing and supply chain management within the globally active management consultancy Interpath.

Optimisations along the value chain sustainably increase the customer's results. The consultancy supports its clients in realising current challenges and prepares employees and processes for the requirements of tomorrow. Kerkhoff stands for always accompanying its customers on the path of transformation in a spirit of partnership.

Fraunhofer Research Centre for Battery Cell Production FFB

As an open battery cell factory for research and development, Fraunhofer FFB plays a key role in driving forward the sustainable and efficient production of battery cells 'made in Europe'. To this end, Münster is creating an infrastructure for the development and testing of the production of different battery cells that is unique in Europe. The research programme is aimed at companies from the mechanical and plant engineering and cell production sectors as well as integrators of lithium-ion battery cells who wish to further develop their products on the basis of the latest cell technologies.

As part of the "FoFeBat" project, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are funding the establishment of the Fraunhofer FFB with a total of around 820 million euros. The federal government is funding the Fraunhofer FFB with up to 500 million euros for research facilities and projects, while the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is investing around 320 million euros for land and new buildings.

Download photos

Download