ABB and Northvolt have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a wide-ranging supply and technology partnership, including products and services for Northvolt's state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery factory and close collaboration on development of battery solutions and R&D activities. ABB Technology Ventures (ATV) will support the initial phase of this project through an early investment.

Northvolt is going to build Europe's largest and most advanced lithium-ion battery factory in Sweden. Supported by ABB's industrial automation expertise, integrating robotics, machine and factory automation, electrification and ABB AbilityTM, ABB's unified, cross-industry digital offering, into one overall solution, the factory will supply European customers in the automotive and key industries with high quality and customizable battery solutions. The factory is expected to start production in 2020. A demonstration-line will be ready by 2019 and will allow Northvolt to continuously optimize products and processes.

"We are excited to support Northvolt's project to build the battery factory of the future here in one of our home countries", said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. "This uniquely integrated factory would be a true showcase for ABB's leadership in industrial automation and smart electrification and would help to meet the ever-increasing demand for smarter, greener storage solutions."

The Energy Revolution has spurred the use of renewable energy sources and lowered the reliance on fossil fuels. Electrification and storage are the keys to a carbon neutral society. The shift to e-mobility alone will drive the need for batteries to new heights. The ability to store energy is also crucial to free the world's energy generation and distribution from fossil fuels in a phased manner.

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