New Honeywell solution jumpstarts gigafactories from day one

The platform aims to improve battery cell yields and expedite facility startups for manufacturers.

Traditional standalone solutions can result in material scrap rates as high as 30% during steady-state production, and even higher during facility startups. This inefficiency can lead to millions of pounds in wasted energy and materials as gigafactories gradually scale to efficient and profitable production.

Battery MXP leverages AI techniques to detect and address quality issues in the manufacturing process before they result in scrapped material. The solution uses machine learning to identify conditions that cause quality problems and converts this data into actionable insights, helping manufacturers enhance efficiency and productivity.

By providing powerful data to improve quality control and decision-making on the plant floor, Battery MXP is designed to help manufacturers reduce production ramp-up time, lower startup material scrap rates by 60%, and increase delivery rates to meet the growing demand for lithium-based batteries.

"With Honeywell’s Battery MXP and its automation capabilities, we will be able to quickly and effectively establish a foundation for our network of gigafactories," said John Kem, President of American Battery Factory. "This solution is vital in our manufacturing operation because it allows us to reduce scrap and scale up quickly, while also ensuring we meet international demand for high quality lithium iron phosphate batteries as we prepare for the unprecedented surge expected over the next decade.”

Battery MXP offers bidirectional traceability and genealogy, tracking battery cells from raw material to finished product in real time, ensuring product quality at every stage. Additionally, the solution addresses key challenges faced by battery manufacturers by providing solutions for process controls, workforce management, and thermal runaway battery fire prevention. These safety features help protect both gigafactory operators and end-users, ensuring a safer environment for all.

“The electrification of everyday life continues to increase global demand for quality lithium-ion batteries to power electric vehicles, consumer electronics and battery energy storage systems,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions. "With the construction of more than 400 gigafactories planned worldwide by 2030, Honeywell’s Battery MXP is a crucial technology that enables manufacturers to maximise cell yields and reach peak production much quicker than traditional methods.”

Honeywell's use of automation to drive global electrification aligns with its focus on automation and energy transition megatrends. As a major contributor to the global energy transition, Honeywell leverages its comprehensive portfolio in industrial automation, cyber-secure IoT (Internet of Things), material handling, building automation, and safety solutions. This approach helps battery manufacturers rapidly bring reliable products to market, meeting the projected demand for battery cells.