AgiloBat to DRYOON - scaling agile battery production for industry

Project overview

 

The project originated from the AgiloBat research initiative, developed by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as the world’s first agile battery cell production system. Built around modular microenvironments and automated processes, the concept demonstrated a new approach to battery manufacturing that prioritised flexibility and scalability. Exentec supported the project by delivering mini dry room solutions, recognising early on the potential to translate this research concept into an industrial application. This led to the development of DRYOON®, a scalable platform designed to bring agile, high-performance dry process environments into real-world production.

 

The challenge

 

Conventional dry room solutions posed several challenges for manufacturers. Large, centralised dehumidification systems required significant floor space and consumed high levels of energy, while also involving complex and time-intensive installation processes. Their rigid design limited flexibility, making it difficult to adapt to changing production requirements. In addition, solid wall construction restricted access to equipment, and traditional material airlocks increased cycle times due to large conditioned volumes, creating inefficiencies across operations.

 

Exentec's solution

 

To address these challenges, Exentec developed DRYOON®, a modular mini-environment concept designed to improve both performance and operational efficiency. The solution replaces large-scale systems with compact, highly efficient dehumidification units and optimised geometry to minimise unused space. Its modular, panel-based design allows environments to be configured and reconfigured with ease, positioned directly around production equipment, and scaled in line with manufacturing needs. Advanced sealing systems and high-efficiency airlocks enhance containment performance, while removable panels and integrated interfaces ensure accessibility and seamless integration into automated processes.

 

The results

 

As a result, Exentec successfully transformed a research-driven concept into a scalable industrial solution for battery manufacturing. DRYOON® enables a shift away from rigid, linear production layouts towards more flexible and adaptable production systems, supporting a range of configurations from stand-alone units to fully integrated agile production environments. The approach improves efficiency, scalability, and sustainability, helping manufacturers optimise operations and respond more effectively to evolving production demands.