From Hanover, Germany comes the news that the battery manufacturer Clarios is investing approximately EUR 200 million in its European plants between 2022 and 2026, with the goal of continuously expanding its production capacities for advanced absorbent glass mat (AGM) vehicle batteries. As of 2026, around 50% more units will be produced each year. In Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Clarios is operating 13 production sites including two recycling centres. These investments are a part of Clarios’ strategy to invest globally in projects specifically focused on AGM production in the near-term which allows Clarios in EMEA and its aftermarket brand VARTA Automotive to strengthen the leading position in this region by driving our ability to deliver to the customers even quicker than before. The expansion creates around 150 attractive jobs in the modern plants in Germany, Spain, Czech Republic and France enabling the building of production clusters bringing the “in-the region for-the region strategy” also in EMEA to life.

 Focus on Central Europe

The largest expansion of AGM capacity will be at the Hanover plant in Germany, which is also home to the European headquarters of Clarios. “Through extensive automation, we are increasing productivity at the site and, at the same time, securing the existing jobs there”, highlighted Dr. Werner Benade, President EMEA at Clarios.

To create the necessary space, a significant part of the production of conventional batteries and the advanced EFB batteries for OEMs has been relocated from Hanover to Česká Lípa in the Czech Republic. Additionally, plastic housing for AGM batteries and small parts such as plugs and handles will also be increasingly produced in Česká Lípa. Additional capacities were also created in this site: Clarios is expanding the factory building and investing in new production machines for a two-digit million amount.

In Zwickau, Germany, Clarios already operates the largest production plant for AGM batteries worldwide. The recycling operation in Krautscheid, Germany, supports the AGM expansion with increased recycling of lead alloys for the grids used in AGM batteries. The Krautscheid site thus complements the capacity expansion in the production network for Central Europe, which secures the supply to vehicle manufacturers in the region and in the aftermarket.

An additional production cluster is located on the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the plant in Guardamar, Spain, will also manufacture 50 percent more Powerframe® grids for EFB batteries, and will be equipped with an additional production line to do so.

The production cluster on the Iberian Peninsula will also recycle lead from old batteries locally. The recycling plant in Medina del Campo has been a crucial part of the internal supply chain since 2022.

“All these investments in our leading AGM technology ensure that our customers in the OEM and aftermarket business receive the best and most efficient batteries,” explained Benade. “We will thus continue to support all electric and safety-relevant functions for all vehicle types for a long time to come. We are pushing forward with our solutions for transforming the automotive industry by implementing the trends of electrification, digitalization and circular economy.”

AGM and Power Frame grid technology

AGM stands for Absorbent Glass Mat and is a further development of the lead-acid battery. The electrolyte is bound within a glass fibre mat. This prevents electrolyte stratification, the main cause of faults in lead starter batteries; this significantly increases service life. An additional benefit of AGM technology is the very high charging capacity.

The patented Power Frame grid technology provides a strong frame for the AGM batteries from Clarios to ensure increased durability and corrosion resistance, as well as a formidable starting performance and improved current flow. The Power Frame grids can also be manufactured in a more environmentally friendly manner than conventional designs.