Automotive Cells Company (ACC)
Launch of a pilot plant to manufacture European batteries for electric vehicles
Cap Ingelec, right on time for the exponential market of Electric Batteries
The European market for automotive batteries is estimated at around 500 GWh in 2030, 15 times the current need and more than 7 million vehicles equipped. As batteries represent more than a third of the value of a vehicle, many carmakers have decided to invest in new battery manufacturing plants in France and Europe in order to compete with the leaders in the sector, mainly from Asia (CATL, Panasonic, OLG, etc.) and to secure a supply that has become strategic.
The PSA Group and Total, through its subsidiary Saft, have created a joint company called ACC (Automotive Cells Company) to produce a large quantity of batteries in “Giga Factories” in France and Germany. This project, financially supported by the French and German governments and local authorities (following the EU agreement), plans to eventually manufacture between 48 and 64 GWh of batteries per year, with improved energy performance, range, recharge time and carbon footprint.
This large-scale industrial program began with the laying of the foundation stone for a pilot plant in Nersac, for a total investment of nearly 200 million euros.
A turnkey contract!
Within the framework of this first project, Cap Ingelec has been awarded, since August 2020, a ” turnkey ” contract including all the infrastructures with high added value, to be installed in a record time of 12 months. Our responsibility is to deliver nearly 6,500 m² of anhydrous clean rooms, at great heights (4 to 9 m HSP), with guaranteed dew points (-10°C, -20°C, -40°C) and controlled dust levels (ISO 5/6/7), all of which is controlled, monitored, secured and distributed in terms of high and low voltage, hydraulics, aeraulics and special fluids
Our technical perimeter is critical because our temperature and humidity commitments are the guarantees of the quality and performance of the batteries in which they will be assembled. The technologies implemented will therefore be the most efficient on the market and will be part of a pragmatic and sustainable innovation approach. The design will be developed using BIM processes and tools that will promote agility, responsiveness and efficiency, which are key success factors.
This contract, worth more than €20 million excluding VAT, is fully in line with the group’s strategy and complements the Design & Build references already achieved.
48 GWh
per year of batteries
1 GWh
on the site of Nersac
6 500 sqm
of anhydrous clean rooms
12 months of work
a record time
They are talking about it!
“On this dossier, Cap Ingelec differentiated itself from its competitors by the pertinence of its solutions and the associated value engineering. It should also be remembered that the tender phase took place in the particular context of the first containment, which attests to our capacity for commitment and the mobilization of our teams. “concludes Hervé Bottais, Deputy General Manager.
“In addition to our expertise in this sector of activity, the added value we brought to this project was appreciated. Our technical scope is critical because our commitments regarding the temperature and humidity of the battery assembly areas will guarantee the long-term performance of the batteries. The technologies used are the most sophisticated on the market and are part of a pragmatic and sustainable innovation approach. Our studies have been very thorough. Battery production takes place in workshops with very high ceilings, from 3.5 to 9 meters depending on the location, which makes the mission more complex.” Jean-Philippe Cottel, Sales Director of Cap Ingelec.
” Our design was developed using BIM processes and tools that promote agility, responsiveness and efficiency, key success factors.” explains Maxime Guyonnet, Project Director of Cap Ingelec.
