CSEM has unveiled Switzerland’s first-ever dry room, a state-of-the-art facility designed to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation batteries.
Neuchâtel’s technology center CSEM has announced the launch of Switzerland’s first dry room, an advanced facility aimed at fast-tracking the development of next-generation battery technologies. As part of its Battery Innovation Hub (BIH), this 37-square-meter infrastructure is set to become operational in September 2025 and will serve as a key enabler for industrializing high-energy-density batteries.
The dry room features an ultra-low dew point of −50°C, providing an optimal environment for handling moisture-sensitive materials such as lithium metal, which is crucial for the development of solid-state batteries. The facility also includes a pilot production line for assembling pouch cells, the battery type commonly used in electric vehicles and consumer electronics.
Andrea Ingenito, Co-Director of the Battery Innovation Hub, emphasized the strategic importance of the facility: “CSEM’s dry room isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a key enabler for proving the industrial viability of the technologies developed within our Battery Innovation Hub.”
Solid-state batteries: A Swiss-led revolution?
Beyond research, CSEM has dedicated a 10-square-meter section of the dry room to start-ups and SMEs, offering them access to cutting-edge equipment and expertise. This initiative is designed to help smaller companies reduce risks and costs associated with battery innovation, enabling them to scale up faster and advance to higher technology readiness levels.
Solid-state lithium-metal batteries are seen as the future of energy storage, promising higher energy density, faster charging times, and improved safety. However, manufacturing challenges remain a barrier to large-scale production. CSEM’s new dry room will play a pivotal role in developing scalable processes to bring these batteries closer to mass production.
“New materials and manufacturing techniques present a unique opportunity to rebuild Europe’s battery industry,” noted Ingenito. “Switzerland must act now to stay ahead in this strategic market.”
