PEC Corp stands as a global pioneer in automation and battery cell manufacturing solutions, driven by over four decades of relentless innovation. Headquartered in Belgium, the company operates seamlessly across Hungary, Germany, the USA, Malaysia, China, and Japan. It designs and delivers turnkey systems that cover every stage of the cell-production cycle. From large cylindrical and prismatic formats to pouch and small cylindrical cells, PEC provides fully integrated solutions for filling, formation, ageing, and testing.
Producing over 20 million cells every month on its systems, PEC bridges the gap between laboratory innovation and large-scale manufacturing. Through advanced automation and hybrid production technologies, it empowers the next generation of lithium-ion solutions that fuel high-performance applications across the globe.
At the core of PEC’s innovation ecosystem is the PEC Tech Centre in Leuven, Belgium, a hub equipped with a cutting-edge pilot-production lab and an ultra-modern dry room. Here, customers work hand in hand with PEC experts to fast-track development and transform pioneering ideas into production-ready realities.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World at the Renewable Energy India Expo 2025, Raf Goossens, CEO of PEC Corp, elaborates on the company’s breakthroughs in battery technology. He explains the functioning of automated cell activation lines, underscores the benefits of PEC’s test systems and lab automation for clients, and offers deep insights into the company’s hybrid operational model. The following are the highlights from his compelling conversation.
Q: Could you elaborate on PEC Corp’s offerings in the battery technology domain?
A: We trace our roots back to 1984, marking a long and distinguished journey in the battery industry. Our story began with Samsung’s very first factories in Korea, where we played a pivotal role in pioneering lithium-ion technology as early as the mid-1990s.
Today, our focus is sharper than ever. We specialize in two core domains: cell activation, the final and most critical phase of cell manufacturing, and advanced test laboratories designed primarily for automotive applications. Our cell activation expertise encompasses every essential step, including electrolyte filling, recharge formation, ageing, and grading.
Through this focused approach, we continue to push the boundaries of precision, performance, and reliability in modern battery manufacturing.
Q: PEC Corp offers automated cell activation lines. Could you explain how these systems work?
A: When manufacturing a cell, the process revolves around three essential stages. First, we create the electrodes, thin layers of aluminium and copper coated with active materials that form the heart of the cell. Next, we wind or stack these electrodes and enclose them in a can, completing the cell assembly.
At this stage, the cell has all its components but remains inert. That’s where we come in. We bring the cell to life, transforming it from a static assembly into a functioning energy source.
Q: PEC Corp also offers test systems and lab automation facilities. How do these capabilities benefit your clients?
A: We help our customers independently validate the work done by their suppliers. To achieve this, we build advanced laboratories where clients can rigorously test supplier-provided samples. These samples, already tested once by the suppliers, undergo a second round of verification under controlled conditions.
This double validation ensures absolute confidence in quality and performance, guaranteeing that every vehicle powered by these cells is 100% safe when it hits the road.
Q: Could you elaborate on the structure and advantages of PEC Corp’s hybrid operational model?
A: We developed the hybrid model in response to the frequent failures observed in Gigafactories. These large-scale plants often struggle with excessive complexity and too many interdependent processes, which can trigger what we call a “combinatorial explosion,” a cascading effect where small issues multiply into major inefficiencies.
To eliminate this, we broke the manufacturing process into smaller, more manageable steps. The term hybrid reflects the collaboration among different companies, roles, and locations working in sync.
In hybrid manufacturing, we typically see three distinct stages. The first involves electrode production, usually handled by material companies. The second is cell assembly, an SOP-driven, clean-room process that contract manufacturers can efficiently manage. Finally, the activation phase is carried out either by the OEM or the battery pack manufacturer.
This model simplifies production, enhances flexibility, and significantly reduces the risk inherent in traditional large-scale Gigafactory operations.
Q: Does PEC Corp have global operations under the hybrid model?
A: We have already installed fully operational pilot lines, now running successfully with leading German OEMs. The momentum is building quickly. Just last week, I spoke at the Battery Manufacturing Days in Münster, Germany, where the interest in our approach was remarkable.
The industry is responding with enthusiasm, and our network continues to expand. In short, the hybrid model is no longer an idea; it’s becoming a reality.
