Bringing premium battery cells to the road, water, and air. CustomCells stands proudly as one of the world’s leading companies specializing in the development of unique lithium-ion battery cells. Headquartered in Germany, the company has over 150 employees and boasts an impressive array of 14 industrialized electrode technologies, a staggering inventory of over 250 raw materials, and state-of-the-art production facilities equipped with the latest advancements in electrode and cell manufacturing machinery.
A pioneer in the field of lithium-ion battery technology, CustomCells is committed to continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Its journey of excellence involves unraveling the intricacies of chemistry and battery dynamics, bridging the gap between prototyping and production, and developing customized battery systems, culminating in unmatched lithium-ion energy storage devices. The company caters to a wide range of customer-specific demands, from prototypes to small and medium-scale series.
The Founders and Leadership of CustomCells
Leopold König and Torge Thönnessen co-founded CustomCells in 2012 as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology (ISIT). Over the years, the company has amassed extensive expertise in developing and manufacturing application-specific battery cells, encompassing a deep understanding of the entire process chain, ranging from materials and cells to battery modules and systems. As a result, CustomCells offers a comprehensive range of products and services covering the entire value chain, along with extensive consulting services for energy storage concepts and process technology.
Leopold König pursued industrial engineering at Hochschule Stralsund, focusing on mechanical engineering and business management. Transitioning from his former role as a paramedic and emergency medical technician, he redirected his attention to electromobility, joining Fraunhofer ISIT’s development department for lithium-polymer cells in 2011. Meanwhile, Torge Thönnessen studied chemistry at Philipps-University Marburg and Lund University in Sweden. With over eight years of experience in electromobility, battery cell development, product development, and process analysis and optimization, Torge Thönnessen brings valuable expertise to the field.
As of 2022, Dr. Dirk Abendroth serves as the CEO of the CustomCells Group. He is a highly accomplished expert in sustainable mobility, possessing a unique combination of expertise in IT and automotive sectors, with recent involvement in aviation as well. Throughout his career, Dirk Abendroth has held diverse roles, including ‘CTO Continental,’ ‘CTO Team Global,’ and a founding member and VP of the start-up ‘BYTON.’ Notably, his contributions were instrumental in pioneering the renowned ‘BMW i’ program, where he oversaw the powertrain development of BMW i3 and i8.
Pioneering Customized Battery Solutions
CustomCells is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of a diverse range of products, catering to various industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and marine. With a focus on delivering solutions for extreme conditions, CustomCells offers unique benefits to its customers. This combination allows CustomCells to create highly customized battery cells that precisely match the requirements of each customer’s unique applications.
The success of CustomCells’ technology in real-world scenarios is already evident, with a customer base of over 600 satisfied clients engaged in more than 1,400 projects. Notably, the company serves as the trusted battery cell supplier for renowned companies within the aviation industry, an area with tremendous potential for future growth and advancement.
Apart from its production capabilities, CustomCells provides educational opportunities through workshops and seminars. These initiatives aim to enlighten professionals about the cutting-edge technology developed by the company and its diverse applications. Additionally, CustomCells boasts a dedicated research and development department, which continuously explores and works with materials related to their products, ensuring innovation and continuous improvement.
CustomCells offers a valuable licensing service, wherein the company collaborates with customers to develop and scale new technologies specific to various applications of lithium-ion battery cells. These tailor-made technologies can be adapted to meet each customer’s requirements and subsequently transferred to mass manufacturers through a licensing model. This approach facilitates the widespread adoption of advanced battery cell technologies across different industries and applications.
Revolutionizing Battery Cell Technology
CustomCells is driven by a strong commitment to revolutionizing battery cell technology, aiming to establish new standards that will shape the future of the industry. The company’s central focus lies in the creation of high-performance battery cells, envisioned to establish a new premium segment in the global market. This segment will be distinguished by unparalleled energy and power density, setting industry benchmarks at an unprecedented level.
As part of their growth strategy, CustomCells has expanded its site in Itzehoe to provide more comprehensive support across all aspects of process development. Moreover, the company actively explores potential expansion opportunities into other locations, with the United States being one of their key considerations.
In an active collaboration with multiple partners, CustomCells plays a pivotal role in the development of a state-of-the-art smart battery factory. Taking the lead in the collaborative project named TwinTRACE, CustomCells brings together industry and research partners with the primary objective of implementing cutting-edge and highly efficient production processes through the incorporation of a digital twin. Through the TwinTRACE project, the partners aim to elevate the standards in battery cell production, enhancing quality and traceability to position themselves as global leaders in this domain. Simultaneously, they are setting new benchmarks for intelligent digitization within the industry, signifying the company’s dedication to continuous innovation and progress.
Embracing the Power of Interpersonal Encounters
Dirk Abendroth has always found the most exhilarating aspects of his career to be the interpersonal encounters. It is during times of significant changes, great successes, and even repeated failures that people’s emotions come to the forefront, revealing their true character. For CustomCells’ CEO, these are the moments that leave a profound and lasting impact. Although such instances often coincide with product launches, it is in these times that the interpersonal aspects truly shine.
CustomCells holds a unique position as it embodies a combination of two contrasting aspects. On one hand, it retains the essence of an early-stage, relatively small company. On the other hand, having been established for over a decade, it is no longer classified as a young start-up, engaging in collaborations with both other start-ups and well-established large organizations. This blend of characteristics creates an exciting and challenging dynamic for the company. Dirk Abendroth endeavors to leverage the experiences he has gained from both the corporate and start-up sides to contribute to this dynamic and drive the company forward.
Driving Innovation Across Diverse Industries
CustomCells actively engages in providing advisory, development, and manufacturing services to some of the most influential companies across diverse industries. The company takes pride in serving six of the top ten global automotive companies, six of the top ten German automotive suppliers, and three of the top ten global chemical companies. Such collaborations with industry leaders underscore CustomCells’ unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality solutions and establishing itself as a trusted partner across multiple sectors.
At the end of 2022, CustomCells successfully secured EUR 60 million in Series A financing, signifying a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
To further strengthen its position and fuel its growth trajectory, CustomCells has recently enhanced its senior management team by recruiting esteemed managers from renowned companies such as Continental, Rimac, BMW, Magna, and Kion. This strategic step is aimed at optimizing organizational processes and expanding the company’s global presence, demonstrating CustomCells’ commitment to constant improvement and development.
Advice for Entering the Battery Technology Industry
Dirk Abendroth offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs who are considering entering the battery technology industry. He highlights the current surge of momentum in this sector and emphasizes the enormous potential for growth. In light of this promising outlook, Dirk Abendroth encourages entrepreneurs to take bold actions and explore ventures in various areas.
He points out that the demand for battery technology is being driven by urgent global issues such as CO2 reduction and climate protection. This presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs to make a significant impact by contributing innovative solutions to address these pressing challenges.
Additionally, he highlights the rapid rise of e-mobility, which is generating great enthusiasm within the industry. The convergence of the automotive and aviation sectors is also proving to be an exciting combination, presenting further possibilities for innovation and growth.
Success Story ‘Powered by People’
He proudly emphasizes that CustomCells has been ‘powered by people’ for nearly a decade. The core of the company’s success lies in the ideas and contributions of its employees. Their innovative thinking and proactive ‘doer mentality’ are the driving force behind CustomCells’ business operations. The company thrives by tapping into the vast technological expertise and forward-looking mindset of its team members. Their determination to make a meaningful impact and shape the future is what sets CustomCells apart in the industry.
Recognizing the pivotal role of its employees, CustomCells is always on the lookout for talented individuals who align with the company’s values and share the enthusiasm to contribute to its mission. The company welcomes those passionate about driving innovation in the battery technology industry and invites them to join its team.
Initiatives by CustomCells in the Battery Technology Industry
CustomCells is actively addressing five key issues to further enhance its position and growth in the battery technology industry. Firstly, the company is focused on scaling its presence in the existing market where it already operates. This entails expanding its market share and increasing its footprint in order to capture more opportunities and maximize its impact.
Secondly, CustomCells aims to capitalize on and strengthen the synergies between the different facets of its business. By leveraging the connections and interrelationships between its various operations, the company seeks to create a more integrated and cohesive approach to its offerings.
Thirdly, targeted innovation will be a pivotal factor in CustomCells’ strategy. By directing its efforts towards specific areas of improvement and technological advancement, the company aims to enhance its premium product offerings and stand out in the market.
Fourthly, the company is actively pursuing international expansion plans. The objective is to extend CustomCells’ reach beyond its current base in Germany and venture into new markets in Europe, China, and the United States. This expansion is driven by strategic considerations to tap into global opportunities and broaden the company’s horizons.
Lastly, CustomCells is committed to building a robust brand image. This involves serving a diverse base of independent customers and establishing a reputation for reliability, quality, and customer satisfaction. By catering to a broad spectrum of clients, the company aims to strengthen its market position and solidify its presence in the battery technology industry.
