We are talking about a step of Aspilsan, known for its battery systems used in the military and civilian areas, to localize these products and solutions. We talked to Aspilsan R&D Manager Ahmet Altınay:
● Why are energy storage solutions important?
Today, the need for energy storage is increasing. Especially with the diversification and use of renewable energy sources, storage systems now have a critical importance. Electrochemical solutions have a very important place in energy storage systems due to some of their properties. As Aspilsan, we are developing batteries, which are a form of electrochemical energy storage, in this context.
● Why is Aspilsan dealing with these systems?
Aspilsan is a company that was established 40 years ago to produce products aimed at closing the gap in this field in order to reduce foreign dependency on batteries. We still continue our productions with the same mission.
We have been continuing the battery production, which we started with nickel cadmium technology, by producing lithium batteries since the beginning of the 2000s. Now we will put into operation Europe's first cylindrical cell production center in Turkey.
● What does this mean? What will cylindrical cell production change?
As Aspilsan, we still produce about 300 types of batteries. In addition to our nickel cadmium and metal hydride-based solutions, we mainly produce lithium-ion-based batteries. The battery cells that we will produce in the cylindrical cell factory we will establish now will be used in the batteries we produce.
● At what stage is the establishment of the cell factory?
The foundation of our factory was laid in 2020, its construction continues. Physically, it's 85% complete. We expect the transfer of production equipment by the end of November. We aim to produce our first cells by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
● Where are cylindrical battery cells used?
Currently, it has a very wide usage area. We use it in the medical, transportation and military sectors, we use it in aviation and rail transportation systems. Our cells have an area of use in every area where energy is needed.
In fact, at the basis of this investment, we have a goal of improving the design of battery cells. So it will definitely have a positive effect. Our current target is on the production of cylindrical battery cells. However, we are making preparations for investments for the production of lithium-ion battery cells, which we call pouch type batteries and prismatic batteries, in the coming periods.
● Where do you get the current cells from?
We import the battery cells inside the battery packs we currently use. The domestic production of these battery cells will create a supply chain network here. One of the most important goals of our R&D studies for battery design is the nationalization of the materials used in battery components.
● How are you doing in this regard?
In this context, there is a project we are carrying out with Eti Maden. The project includes the use of lithium obtained from their boron waste in the production of battery cells. Apart from this, it is possible to use materials such as cobalt and nickel extracted in Turkey in domestic battery cells in the future. We aim to create an ecosystem that is completely free from foreign dependency. We think that this will definitely have a positive effect on the economy. We are currently making all our investments in line with this target.
It seems that a very serious added value will be created... The battery cells used in batteries are currently obtained from abroad. The added value that will be created by the domestic battery cells we will produce is also here. We are talking about a sector in which Far East countries are dominant. This is one of the factors that limit us in terms of design and strategic steps. It is very important to produce a strategic, in a sense critical product domestically, as well as cost and efficiency. In other words, the domestic battery cell will also have great effects in terms of developing new products.
● Where will this increase the domestic contribution rate of your existing batteries?
Currently, the localization rate is around 50 percent. The fact that the domestic contribution rate has increased to 97 percent thanks to the domestic battery cell also shows the magnitude of this added value to be achieved. Because in terms of the current mining strategy, we will prevent the products from our mines from being sent abroad and processed to us in the supply chain. Together with us, the formation of this battery ecosystem in Turkey is slowly taking shape. It is now possible for these mines to be processed and used directly in our own country and to be included in our battery cells. In other words, we are starting to set up this process from the mine to the final product. In our battery cells, there are sub-components that we call electrodes and electrolytes. Chemical, mining companies and metal companies that will take part in the production of sub-components can be our main stakeholders.
Completing the battery cell factory setup
Aspilsan R&D Manager Ahmet Altınay stated that the construction of the battery cell factory, whose foundations were laid in 2020, continues. Altınay said, “Physically, it is 85% complete. We expect the transfer of production equipment by the end of November. We aim to produce our first cells by the end of the first quarter of 2022.” Altınay said the following about the usage areas of cylindrical battery cells: “Currently, there is a very wide usage area. We use it in the medical, transportation and military sectors, we use it in aviation and rail transportation systems. Our cells have an area of use in every area where energy is needed.”
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