CIMBATT – Toward a Dutch Circular Battery Chain for Heavy Transport

The transition to zero emission transport demands innovation and collaboration across the entire value chain. With CIMBATT, companies and knowledge institutions are joining forces to develop a new generation of circular batteries, designed and produced in the Netherlands.

The mobility sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Heavy-duty transport, such as trucks, buses, ships, and aircraft, are representing a large part of these emissions. This has resulted in pressure on the stakeholders involved to become more sustainable with a growing demand for reliable, affordable, and circular battery technology for heavy-duty applications. 

The Netherlands is uniquely positioned to take a leading role in this transition. With prominent companies like DAF Trucks, VDL Groep, Damen Shipyards, Eleo (Yanmar Group), and Hyster-Yale, the country has a strong foundation in the heavy transport segment. 

What is CIMBATT? 

The CIMBATT project brings together Dutch companies and research institutions to develop and produce a new generation of circular battery packs. By integrating the entire chain—from design to reuse—the partners aim to reduce costs while ensuring maximum quality, sustainability, and circularity. The collaboration contributes to strategic independence, material security, and compliance with future regulations. In this way, the Netherlands is working not only toward a cleaner future but also toward a strong, innovative economy. 

Innovations in the Project 

The partners are working on the following innovations: 

  • Six new-generation modular battery packs, integrated into various vehicle applications: truck, excavator, forklift, aviation, and maritime use; 

  • Rapid prototyping production line for battery packs, including technology demonstrators in fast charging, cloud connectivity, active balancing and cooling, thermal runaway, and scalable BMS architecture; 

  • Three pilot production lines for automated battery assembly in different industrial environments; 

  • Joint standards for battery passports and the setup of a logistics chain for battery systems (repair, refurbishment, replacement, recycling, and reuse); 

  • Improved battery monitoring using cloud-based SoX (State of Charge/Health) assessment and remaining lifespan prediction via machine learning algorithms;
     
  • Demonstration of a stationary battery container using second-life batteries. 

 

Project Information 

Project name: CIMBATT – Development of a Dutch CIrcular Manufacturing industry and BATTery chain for heavy-duty mobility 
Lead partner: VDL Groep 
Duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2029 
Project size: committed subsidy: €30 million

Project Partners 

  • VDL Groep
  • DAF Trucks
  • Damen Shipyards Group
  • Eleo Technologies
  • Hyster-Yale Netherlands
  • TNO
  • NXP Semiconductors Netherlands

 

  • Technical University Eindhoven
  • University of Twente
  • Tracxon
  • Tulip Tech
  • Van Meer
  • PNO Innovation (Project coordination support). 

Find out more about this project

René Vounckx – Head of the Steering Committee CIMBATT – R.Vounckx@vdlets.nl
Erno Ligthart – Project Manager CIMBATT – E.Ligthart@VDLETS.nl

This project has received financial support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, under the grant ‘Circular batteries’ carried out by the Dutch Enterprise Agency.