From Conversation to Commissioning: Delivering a Complex Pouch Cell Pilot Line
Through a multi-year collaboration, PI-KEM worked with the Łukasiewicz Research Network to establish the largest advanced pouch cell pilot line facility in Eastern Europe.
Project Overview:
Customer: Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals Centre for Electro chemical Energy Storage
Centre for Electro chemical Energy Storage
Location: Poznań, Poland
Project Outline: Delivery of a pilot line for prototyping and small-scale production of lithium cells, including installation, commissioning
Project Scope:
• Design, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a pouch cell pilot line
• Coordination of specialist equipment suppliers
• Manufacturing oversight
• International logistics and customs management
• On-site installation and commissioning
• Operator training and project sign-off
Manufacturing Partner: MTI Corporation
Outcome:
• Commissioning of the largest advanced pouch cell pilot line facilities in Eastern Europe
• Enables pilot-scale battery manufacturing for research
• Supports next-generation battery development
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Customer Challenge:
The Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage in Poznań sought to significantly expand its capabilities in advanced battery research.
Initial collaboration with PI-KEM Ltd. began in 2020 through the supply of specialist materials and laboratory-scale battery research equipment. As the institute’s research programme developed, its ambitions grew beyond laboratory experimentation towards pilot-scale battery manufacturing and validation.
Following new leadership and confirmed research funding in 2022, the Centre set out to establish a pouch cell pilot line facility capable of supporting:
• development of next-generation lithium battery technologies
• pilot-scale production and validation of pouch cells
• collaboration with industrial partners and research organisations
• the transition from laboratory research to scalable manufacturing processes
Delivering this vision required a highly specialised pilot line integrating multiple stages of pouch cell production. The project also required careful coordination between research teams, equipment manufacturers, and international logistics partners.
Through a formal tender process launched in 2024, the Centre sought a partner capable not only of supplying advanced equipment, but also of coordinating the design, delivery and commissioning of a complex pilot-scale research facility.
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PI-KEM Solution:
Building on an established working relationship, PI-KEM worked closely with the research team at the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage to support the development of their pilot-scale pouch cell facility.
Following early discussions around the institute’s evolving research ambitions, PI-KEM provided technical input to help identify the types of equipment and capabilities required to support pilot-scale battery manufacturing.
When the formal tender for the pilot line was launched in 2024, PI-KEM worked closely with the research team to review specifications and develop a proposal tailored to the Centre’s research objectives.
After being awarded the project in early 2025, PI-KEM coordinated the delivery of the pilot line in collaboration with specialist manufacturing partner MTI Corporation.
PI-KEM oversaw the manufacturing process, carried out equipment inspections at its Tamworth facility prior to shipment, and managed the international logistics process to ensure safe delivery to Poznań.
Technical teams from PI-KEM and MTI then supported the installation, commissioning and testing of the pilot line, followed by hands-on training for the research team to ensure the facility could be used effectively from day one.
Through close collaboration with the customer and manufacturing partners, PI-KEM delivered a fully operational pilot line aligned with the original tender specification and the Centre’s long-term research goals.
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Project Timeline: From First Meeting to Pilot Line Launch
Six years of collaboration delivering advanced battery research infrastructure.
Phase 1 — Building the Partnership
May 2020
First discussions with the Łukasiewicz Research Network in Warsaw
Initial conversations begin around battery research capabilities and potential collaboration opportunities.
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May 2021
Initial supply partnership begins
PI-KEM starts supplying battery materials including granules and powders, alongside laboratory-scale battery research equipment.
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June 2021
Discussions expand to Poznań
PI-KEM begins working with the team at the Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage in Poznań regarding small-scale battery research equipment.
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March 2022
Shift towards pilot-scale capability
Following new leadership under Mariusz Walkowiak, discussions begin around developing a pilot-scale pouch cell production line after confirmation of research funding.
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Phase 2 — Project Development
May 2024
Strategic meeting at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC Europe)
PI-KEM and the Łukasiewicz team meet in Strasbourg to discuss the next stage of the project as it moves towards formal tender.
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September–December 2024
Tender process
The institute publishes the tender for the pouch cell pilot line. PI-KEM works closely with the research team to review specifications and prepare a detailed proposal.
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Phase 3 — Project Delivery
February 2025
Tender awarded to PI-KEM
PI-KEM is selected to deliver the pilot line facility and begins coordinating manufacturing with specialist equipment partner MTI Corporation.
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April 2025
Manufacturing begins
MTI Corporation begins production of the pilot line equipment with project oversight from PI-KEM.
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July–September 2025
Manufacturing inspections and deliveries
Equipment shipments are received and inspected at PI-KEM’s Tamworth facility before delivery to Poznań.
Representatives from the Łukasiewicz team visit PI-KEM to inspect the equipment prior to shipment.
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Phase 4 — Installation
September–October 2025
Installation and commissioning
Technical teams from PI-KEM and MTI install the pilot line in Poznań, followed by system testing, commissioning and researcher training.
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Phase 5 — Launch
March 2026
Official facility launch
The completed facility becomes the largest advanced pouch cell pilot line installation in Eastern Europe, supporting pilot-scale battery research and innovation.
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Customer Perspective:
“PI-KEM stands out with its efficient and transparent approach to handling highly complex projects such as our order. Both the ordering process and the subsequent delivery stages are carried out on time and with full commitment.”
— Emilia Ciechanowicz, Senior Specialist, Project Coordination Department
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“Our technical collaboration with PI-KEM has been excellent so far. Thanks to their strong support, we were able to refine the details of the solutions we were interested in, which will enable us to effectively advance our research.”
— Kamil Frączek, Leader of the Chemical Power Sources Research Area, Head of Laboratory
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“Working with PI-KEM on this large-scale and complex project has been a highly rewarding and inspiring experience. Their professionalism and commitment are instrumental in delivering a pilot line of strategic importance for advanced battery research, not only in Poland but also within the wider European context.”
— Mariusz Walkowiak, Director, Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage
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Impact:
The completed pouch cell pilot line represents a significant milestone for battery research infrastructure in Poland and across Europe.
Co-financed by Poland’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, this unique R&D facility is the only one of its kind in Poland and among just a few in Europe, dedicated to next-generation lithium cell research, development, and prototyping.
The new facility at the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage provides researchers with the capability to develop, prototype and validate next-generation battery technologies at pilot scale.
By enabling the transition from laboratory research to pilot-scale manufacturing, the facility supports:
• development of advanced lithium battery materials and chemistries
• production and testing of pouch cells under realistic manufacturing conditions
• collaboration with industrial partners and research organisations
• acceleration of battery innovation in Poland and the wider European research community
The project also demonstrates the value of long-term collaboration between research institutions and specialist technology partners. Through close cooperation over several years, PI-KEM and its manufacturing partners successfully delivered a complex research infrastructure project that will support battery innovation for years to come.
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Want to know more?
• Watch the short video from PI-KEM Ltd Director Fiona Rouse and Head of Business Development Geoffrey Handley-Harrison highlighting the successful completion of the project
• See behind the scenes footage of the project as we get ready for installation…
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