Blue Solutions to build 2 billion euro gigafactory in France

The French company Blue Solutions, a subsidiary of Bollore, plans to construct a €2 billion (USD 2.17 billion) gigafactory in eastern France to manufacture a new solid-state battery it has developed. This battery boasts a remarkable 20-minute charging time. 

Solid-state batteries are considered the “holy grail” of batteries for electric vehicles, promising longer driving ranges and faster charging times compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, technical challenges have hindered their large-scale commercialisation.

Blue Solutions already produces solid-state batteries for Daimler’s electric buses. Their new, smaller battery for cars aims to achieve a range of 1,000 km (621 miles) and has demonstrated an energy density 30 per cent to 40 per cent higher than the top lithium-ion cells in tests, according to Blue Solutions’ CEO Richard Bouveret.

The company is also holding talks on more deals after signing one with BMW last year to develop a battery for EVs, he said. The planned gigafactory will be located in eastern France, close to both French and German automakers, and is slated to commence production in 2030.

In contrast to typical sprawling battery gigafactories, Blue Solutions’ facility will consist of modular towers with a smaller footprint and a capacity of 25 gigawatt hours (GWh). Blue Solutions aims to have six joint development agreements (JDAs) signed by the end of 2024, including with at least one more automaker.

“We are pragmatic. We want to bring our solid-state battery to the market very quickly,” Bouveret said.

“For that to happen, we may offer a licence for our technology to another battery manufacturer to scale up our chemistry in their own gigafactory.”

He declined to identify the companies with whom Blue Solutions was holding talks on JDAs.

The company is open to working with rival battery makers to accelerate the commercialisation of its battery design, potentially offering licenses for its technology. Blue Solutions plans to seek more than €100 million as part of a first financing round in the second half of this year to aid in the development of the new battery.

To complement its expertise, Blue Solutions is actively seeking partnerships with various entities, including automotive manufacturers, industrial companies, and lithium mining firms that extract the key battery component. Blue Solutions recognizes the value of collaborating with partners that can contribute additional knowledge and resources to support the development of their new battery technology.

The company operates a pilot factory close to its headquarters in Brittany, where it plans to manufacture prototypes of its innovative solid-state battery. By the end of the year, Blue Solutions aims to ship an initial “A sample” of these prototypes to select potential customers and an independent third-party testing firm for evaluation.

For battery manufacturers, the ability to produce and distribute prototypes represents a significant milestone, as it demonstrates their confidence in the maturity and readiness of their technology. This step is crucial in the development process, allowing potential customers and industry experts to assess the capabilities and performance of the new battery design.