Novelis Inc. plans to expand its advanced coated aluminum solutions portfolio for battery and energy storage applications. Through this expanded portfolio, the company will combine high-performance automotive-grade aluminum sheet with proven surface technologies to help manufacturers improve production efficiency, enhance component durability, and tailor material properties to the requirements of electric mobility and stationary energy storage systems.
“Leveraging decades of automotive expertise, we have developed aluminum solutions that combine advanced surface technologies with high-performance sheet products for demanding battery applications,” says Milan Felberbaum, director R&D, Novelis Europe. “By integrating these capabilities, we help customers improve manufacturing efficiency while supporting battery performance and durability.”
Enhancing Aluminum Components
Battery enclosures, casings, electrical connectors (bus bars), and other critical battery components benefit from automotive aluminum solutions, which combine lightweight performance, enhanced formability, corrosion protection, and application-specific electrical insulation capabilities. By pairing automotive-grade aluminum with advanced coating technologies, manufacturers in the electric mobility and energy storage space can improve production reliability, reduce manufacturing complexity by eliminating external lubrication and additional e-coating processes and tailor material performance to the requirements of specific battery applications. In addition, the use of high-recycled-content, low-carbon aluminum helps support sustainability objectives and circular business models.
As battery manufacturers look to reduce the environmental footprint of their supply chains, aluminum offers a combination of lightweight performance, durability, and recyclability. Novelis has expanded its portfolio of coated aluminum solutions designed to address these needs. By combining automotive-grade aluminum sheet with advanced surface technologies, the company is able to help manufacturers simplify production processes, while tailoring material performance to specific applications.
According to Novelis, the company is able to supply coated aluminum solutions are designed to deliver these capabilities in a single material solution. Depending on the application, they can provide enhanced corrosion resistance, improved formability and electrical insulation properties while supporting more consistent manufacturing outcomes.
One such surface technology is Novelis’ water-based coating technology, which has already been proven and is in use on the company’s advanced coating line in Germany. Applied to aluminum coils prior to forming, the water-based coating remains effective after stamping, improving corrosion protection and formability, while reducing battery manufacturing complexity and cost.
Because the coating is integrated into the material before components are formed, manufacturers can reduce reliance on external lubrication and additional e-coating processes. This helps simplify production, reduce processing steps and improve manufacturing efficiency. The system can also be engineered to provide electrical insulation properties where required, allowing manufacturers to tailor material performance and providing flexibility when designing battery systems and energy storage solutions.