#Japan #Tokyo #Hitachi #BASC #Swiftfab

Strengthening the Battery Manufacturing Equipment Industry

In a bid to enhance the battery manufacturing equipment sector, nine member companies of the Battery Association for Supply Chain (BASC) have formed a joint venture named Swiftfab Energy Systems (tentative). This pioneering initiative seeks to improve Japan's competitiveness in the global battery market by tackling one of the industry's critical issues: transforming the structure of battery equipment manufacturing.

The Swiftfab initiative aims to bolster domestic stability in supply systems and contribute significantly to the realization of Japan's battery industry strategy. Member companies of BASC will pool their strengths to create an innovative, cross-industry manufacturing platform. This collaborative model is designed to lay the foundation for optimizing the industry as a whole.

By designing and developing buildings, equipment, production devices, and systems as an integrated solution, the project plans to establish battery manufacturing lines capable of high quality, low cost, and rapid turnaround. The successes achieved from this venture will be shared with BASC members, expanding this collaborative industrial infrastructure in future endeavors, contributing to the modernization and competitiveness of Japan's manufacturing landscape.

Hitachi's Involvement in Swiftfab

Hitachi Ltd. will actively participate in the establishment of the Swiftfab joint venture. The company seeks to eliminate the prolonged lead times in equipment design and line implementation, which have been significant challenges in domestic battery manufacturing. A crucial aspect of this collaboration includes the development of simulation technology, essential for realizing the digital twin of battery production processes alongside participating firms.

By collecting and storing diverse data from actual equipment and production lines, the project aims to streamline design phases. Through this predictive simulation, the initiative intends to not only shorten lead times but also significantly reduce the adjustments needed post-production line setup, improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) as an ongoing goal.

Hitachi's Connected Industries (CI) sector is dedicated to integrating onsite data with domain knowledge and advanced AI through its HMAX Industry digital service. This initiative represents a vital component in scaling this advanced technology across the burgeoning battery industry and contributes to Hitachi's broader goals of nurturing societal innovation.

Addressing Challenges in Battery Manufacturing

The complexities of battery manufacturing require stringent quality controls. Diverse suppliers and specifications for each device lead to time-consuming and costly processes when aligning equipment and buildings. Furthermore, varying material requirements and production quantities prolong lead times and increase the adjustment phase until OEE stabilizes after the production line goes live.

Hitachi aims to tackle these challenges with its extensive capabilities tailored for battery manufacturing. These include the application of informatics for material development, inspection technologies, mission-critical products and equipment like roll presses, dry cleanrooms, and robotic line building. They also offer manufacturing execution systems (MES) and lifecycle management solutions for lithium-ion batteries, promoting reuse and recycling.

By consolidating its extensive range of products, equipment, and domain knowledge under the One Hitachi initiative, the company aims to contribute to the overall efficiency and advancement of the battery manufacturing value chain, positioning itself to cater to the anticipated growth in the sector.

Overview of Swiftfab Energy Systems

• - Business Name: Swiftfab
• - Entity: Swiftfab Energy Systems (tentative)
• - Establishment Date: April 2026 (planned)
• - Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo (planned)
• - Joint Investors: Nine BASC member companies including Hitachi, Komatsu, and others
• - Business Focus: Development, design, sales, and operational support of battery manufacturing equipment and lines.

Hitachi is committed to enhancing the growth of the battery industry while also contributing to a harmonized society where environmental sustainability, economic growth, and societal wellbeing coexist. Its global reach, driven by innovations such as Lumada, continues to tackle the challenges faced within emerging industries like battery manufacturing.