At $WCH (-0,73%) I have also bought in. I think the share is at an interesting chart level here. I see a breakout above €87 as a strong signal and I am betting on this with leverage 6.

I have a question for the community, maybe some of you here are a bit more familiar with a few tax issues that are bothering me.

I transferred my custody account from Onvistabank to ING in 2025. As there were sanctioned securities in my Onvistadepot, the custody account still exists and the 2025 loss pot was not transferred to ING. If I have now realized gains at ING in 2025, can I request a loss declaration from Onvista and claim this on my tax return for 2025?

On Thursday, I have withdrawn from the values $WCH (-0,73%) and $AFX (+0,73%) at a loss, these losses were also shown in the loss pot at ING. Now, on Friday, I sold my $ROG (+0,23%) with profit on Friday, but I paid the full rate of capital gains tax on the profits and the loss pot remained unchanged.

Does anyone have any experience with this? In my opinion, this should be offset directly.

I know this is a very dry topic, but I would be grateful for any feedback 😁

Good morning, dear getquin community.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been taking a deep dive into the battery and energy storage industry—its entire value chain, the major players, and the hidden champions behind the scenes. Today, I’d like to share this knowledge with you @Tenbagger2024 and show how individual technologies are coming together to form a cohesive energy system. I look forward to hearing your perspectives on this.

It’s no coincidence that Warren Buffett $BRK.B (-0,02%) Berkshire Hathaway. He recognizes early on where real value is created and what role chemical processes play in the development of modern energy and storage systems. That is precisely where it will be determined how efficiently batteries and fuel cells will be produced, operated, and recycled in the future—and who will profit from this transformation in the long term.

Personally, I’m not yet as broadly positioned in this sector as I’d like to be. I’ve already invested in some segments, but the entire value chain still offers enormous potential—and that’s exactly what I wanted to better understand through this analysis, among other things.

I’ve deliberately avoided mentioning personal favorites @Multibagger to keep the analysis neutral. If you’re particularly interested in certain companies, topics, or questions, feel free to mention them here in the comments. I’m open to feedback, additions, and discussions, and if any key players are missing in a particular area, I’ll be happy to add them later. This post ended up being a bit longer because I wanted to present the topic comprehensively and clearly. If you’re primarily interested in the companies, the value chain, and the shovel manufacturers, you can skip ahead to points 13 through 16.

Perhaps Part 2 will cover fuel cells, if that’s what you’d like? I wish you all the best of luck with your investments and, of course, a wonderful Sunday.

Structure of the Post

1. Introduction and Hook

2. Topic and Objective: Value Creation Concept 3. The Battery Industry as a Model

4. Basic Principle of the Battery

5. Applications

6. Battery Life Cycle

7. Future Trends

8. Raw Material Base and Development

9. Value Chain Stages 1–9

10. Value Creation Vectors in the Battery Industry

Value Creation as a Cycle and an Overall Model

11. Macro and Micro Levels and How They Fit Together

12. Significance of Battery Industry 4.0

13. Value Chain with Company Assignments for Stages 1–8

14. Key Players at Each Stage, Plus Overarching Financiers and Strategic Distributors

15. Points of Connection: Hybrid Energy Systems for Data Centers, Industry, and Transportation

16. Energy for Humanoid Robots: The Next Evolutionary Stage of Application

17. Takeaway with a Hidden Question in the Body Text

18. Sources

2️⃣.Topic and Objective of the Article

The battery industry has long been more than just cell manufacturing or e-mobility. It is at the center of a global structural transformation that is redistributing energy, technology, and capital. The goal of this article is to understand the battery as a complete value chain—from raw material extraction through material technologies, production, and application to recycling and recovery.

I will show how genuine value is created along this chain, which industries benefit directly from it, and why the battery industry is becoming a central link in future energy systems. At the same time, the goal is to view the whole as a strategic model—a convergence of technology, economics, and sustainability that extends far beyond the mobility sector.

3️⃣.Basic Principle of the Battery

At its core, a battery is a chemical energy storage device that stores electrical energy in the form of chemical compounds and releases it again when needed. It consists of three main components: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. During charging and discharging, positively charged ions move back and forth between these electrodes. This generates an electric current that can be used to power vehicles, supply machinery, or stabilize energy in grids.

The basic principle is reversible. This means that energy can not only be drawn from the battery but also fed back into it. This simple yet highly effective reaction makes batteries one of the central building blocks of modern energy systems. Thanks to advances in chemistry, materials technology, and manufacturing, performance is steadily increasing, while weight, charging time, and costs are continuously decreasing.

4️⃣.Applications

Today, batteries are far more than just a power source for electric cars. They are the backbone of modern energy systems and key to stabilizing renewable power grids. Their applications range from electric mobility to stationary energy storage to industrial and digital applications.

In the mobility sector, batteries enable the transition from internal combustion engines to electric drive technology and form the foundation of new vehicle platforms. In the energy sector, they serve as buffer storage for solar and wind power, balance out grid fluctuations, and ensure a reliable supply during peak times. In industry, they ensure supply reliability, efficiency, and emergency power solutions, while in data centers they are increasingly being used as emission-free backup systems.

In addition, new areas of application are emerging in aviation and maritime transport, in household and building systems, and in microgrids that supply remote regions or industrial parks with energy independently of the central grid. Batteries are thus a universal energy storage medium that connects sectors and lays the foundation for flexible, decentralized energy architectures.

5️⃣.Battery Life Cycle

A battery goes through a clearly defined life cycle that extends far beyond its actual use. It begins with the extraction and processing of raw materials, continues through cell and system manufacturing to the active use phase, and ends with the recovery and recycling of the materials.

During the production phase, active materials and cells are manufactured from raw materials such as lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, graphite, and copper. These cells are then assembled into modules and complete battery packs. During the usage phase, the batteries provide energy for years in vehicles, energy storage systems, or industrial facilities.

Once the end of their service life is reached, the second cycle begins. Cells that are still powerful enough are reused in so-called second-life applications, such as stationary energy storage systems. Finally, the recycling process takes place, during which valuable raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt are recovered and fed back into the production cycle.

This closed-loop material cycle is the crucial step toward a sustainable battery economy. It reduces dependence on primary raw materials, lowers environmental impact, and makes the entire value chain more resilient in the long term.

6️⃣.Future Trends

The battery industry is facing a period of massive technological and structural change. Progress is shifting from a focus on sheer capacity increases toward efficiency, sustainability, and material independence.

A key trend is the shift toward solid-state batteries, which—thanks to solid electrolytes—are safer, more compact, and more powerful than today’s lithium-ion systems. At the same time, silicon anodes are gaining importance, as they enable higher energy densities and shorter charging times. Sodium-ion batteries open up new possibilities for cost-effective storage solutions, particularly in applications where weight and energy density are less critical.

The digitization of batteries is also advancing. Smart battery management systems analyze the condition, temperature, and state of charge of each cell in real time. This not only improves safety but also extends service life and optimizes operation.

On an economic level, the industry is moving toward vertical integration: manufacturers are securing raw materials, energy suppliers are building their own storage facilities, and technology conglomerates are investing directly in manufacturing capacity. At the same time, political pressure is growing for a circular economy, recycling, and carbon neutrality.

The future of batteries thus lies in a combination of new materials, smart control systems, and closed-loop systems. Those who successfully integrate these three elements will play a decisive role in shaping the dynamics of the energy market in the coming years.

7️⃣.Raw Material Base and Development

The battery industry begins at the source of raw materials. Lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, copper, and graphite currently form the basis of nearly all high-performance cells. These metals determine the energy density, stability, and service life of every battery. At the same time, they are the most sensitive part of the value chain, as their extraction, processing, and supply determine costs, sustainability, and geopolitical dependencies.

A significant shift has taken place in recent years. Companies and governments are investing in new mining areas, recycling facilities, and alternative materials to ensure a secure supply. Lithium and nickel, in particular, remain key materials, while cobalt is increasingly being replaced. Graphite is undergoing a transformation toward synthetic and recycled forms, which are intended to reduce dependence on China.

The trend is clearly moving toward material efficiency and a circular economy. Instead of constantly opening new mines, closed-loop systems are emerging in which raw materials are reused multiple times. At the same time, alternative cell chemistries are coming to the fore, relying on abundantly available elements such as sodium, iron, or silicon.

This shift reduces costs, lowers environmental impacts, and increases the independence of entire economies. The raw material base of the battery industry is thus transforming from a linear supply chain into a global, circular material network that combines technology, recycling, and sustainability.

8️⃣.Value Chain

The battery industry follows a clear industrial logic that extends from the extraction of raw materials to the recycling of materials. Each stage in this chain creates its own value and is, at the same time, a prerequisite for the next.

1. Raw Material Extraction – Mining and extraction of lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, copper, and graphite from mines and salt lakes. This stage determines the cost structure and environmental footprint of the entire battery.

2. Refining and processing – Processing raw materials into battery chemicals, such as lithium hydroxide or nickel sulfate, which are used in cell production.

3. Materials technology and component manufacturing – Production of cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials, as well as separators, conductive foils, and binders.

4. Cell production – Assembling the materials into electrochemical cells through coating, stacking, and sealing. This step determines capacity, safety, and quality.

5. Module and pack manufacturing—Cells are assembled into modules and complete battery packs, including the battery management system and cooling.

6. System integration – Installation of battery packs in vehicles, energy storage systems, or industrial equipment. This is where the battery, software, and power electronics come together.

7. Use and operation – The battery’s operational phase spanning several years. Digital monitoring and predictive maintenance extend its service life and efficiency.

8. Recovery and Recycling – At the end of the life cycle, materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite are recycled and returned to the production cycle.

Together, these eight stages form the complete industrial cycle of the battery industry. Value is created at every stage, but it is greatest where technology, energy efficiency, and recycling intersect. This is the point at which a supply chain becomes a true value-creation system.

9️⃣.Value Creation Vectors in the Battery Industry

The battery industry is shaped not only by production processes but also by several overarching forces that act like vectors, cutting across all stages of the value chain. These vectors determine which companies remain at the forefront and where value is concentrated in the long term.

1. Technology Vector

Advances in cell chemistry, materials science, manufacturing, and software integration. Companies that scale up in these areas reduce costs and increase energy density, safety, and service life.

2. Digitalization Vector

Data management, condition analysis, cloud-based battery monitoring, and predictive maintenance. This level connects physical systems with AI and makes operations and recycling more predictable.

3. Sustainability Vector

Circular economy, carbon-neutral production, ESG standards, and material recycling. Companies that lead in this area secure long-term approvals and capital.

4. Finance and Investment Vector

Capital flows from government subsidies, private funds, and infrastructure programs that finance manufacturing capacity and research.

5. Infrastructure Vector

Construction of gigafactories, recycling centers, charging infrastructure, and energy storage facilities. This foundation is crucial for scaling up and ensuring supply security.

6. Geopolitical Vector

Location decisions, trade agreements, raw material dependencies, and security interests determine who has access to strategic materials and markets.

These vectors operate simultaneously and reinforce one another. The true dynamics of the battery industry emerge where technology, sustainability, and capital are intelligently intertwined. This is the axis where innovation, returns, and resilience converge.

🔟.Value Creation as a Cycle

The battery industry is increasingly evolving from a linear supply chain into a closed-loop system. Energy, materials, and data flow continuously between production, use, and recycling. The goal is to conserve resources, minimize losses, and increase value throughout the entire life cycle.

The cycle begins with raw material extraction and proceeds through material development, cell manufacturing, and integration, all the way to use in vehicles, energy storage systems, and industrial facilities. After the operational phase, materials are recovered and reused in new batteries. This physical cycle is complemented by a digital data cycle in which all relevant information about the condition, performance, and age of each cell is stored and analyzed.

This creates a system that optimizes itself. Data from operations flows back into research, design, and recycling, making new generations of batteries more efficient, safer, and more sustainable. This combination of physical and digital cycles is the key to genuine value creation in the Battery Industry 4.0.

1️⃣1️⃣.Macro and Micro Levels

The battery industry operates on two interconnected levels that drive and stabilize one another. At the macro level, global structures, political programs, and economic frameworks take shape. At the micro level, technological, chemical, and process-related developments come into play, making these larger trends possible in the first place.

The macro level encompasses everything that drives the industry as a whole: geopolitical interests, energy policy, subsidy programs, trade, infrastructure, and capital flows. This is where the course is set for where gigafactories are built, which countries secure access to raw materials, and how nations reduce their energy dependence.

The micro level describes the technical reality: cell chemistry, material innovation, manufacturing technology, software integration, and recycling processes. This is where actual progress takes place. Every new battery chemistry, every improvement in energy management, or every reduction in the use of rare metals alters the larger system in the background.

Both levels are intertwined. Political decisions and capital flows at the macro level enable technological developments at the micro level, while technological breakthroughs, in turn, trigger new markets, trade structures, and investment cycles. It is precisely at this intersection—where technology, politics, and the economy interact within a closed system—that the strategic potential of the battery industry emerges.

1️⃣2️⃣.The Significance of Battery Industry 4.0

Battery Industry 4.0 stands for the complete digitization and networking of all processes along the value chain. It combines production, energy, data, and sustainability into a single intelligent system that is controlled, monitored, and optimized in real time.

At its core is the integration of physical equipment with digital platforms. Every cell, every machine, and every process provides data that is analyzed using AI and analytics. This creates a self-learning system that detects errors early, ensures quality, and extends the service life of the batteries.

In manufacturing, automated lines, robotics, and machine learning maximize efficiency and precision. During operation, cloud services and IoT sensors enable continuous condition monitoring, which optimizes maintenance, safety, and performance. At the same time, environmental data is collected to make CO₂ footprints transparent and verifiable.

Battery Industry 4.0 is therefore not just a buzzword, but the transition to a fully integrated, data-driven energy industry. It lays the foundation for scalability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, and connects research, production, use, and recycling in a closed digital loop.

Visual Overview of the Battery Value Chain

To make the entire structure more tangible, I have divided the battery industry system into three levels:

1. Macro level: global value creation, energy policy, raw material and production networks.

2. Micro level: technological processes, material cycles, and innovation axes.

3. Overall Model: the integration of both levels into a closed-loop system that connects production, use, and recovery.

This diagram illustrates how linear supply chains evolve into a circular, digitally controlled energy system—the very DNA of the Battery Industry 4.0.

➡️Battery Value Creation: Macro–Micro–Overall Model

[R&D] [Engineering] [Digitalization]

↓ ↓ ↓

Raw Materials → Materials → Cells → Systems → Use → Recycling

↑ ↑ ↑

[Supply Chain] [Second Life] [Service]

1️⃣3️⃣.Value Chain with Company Assignments + Hidden Champions

Specialized value is created at every stage along the battery value chain. Companies strategically occupy individual segments or integrate multiple areas to strengthen their position. The combination of material expertise, technological competence, and system integration determines who comes out ahead in global competition.

1. Raw Material Extraction

Lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite:

$ALB (-0,3%) Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) – U.S. One of the world’s largest lithium producers with mining sites in Chile, Australia, and the U.S. Supplies global cell production with lithium hydroxide for cathode materials

$SQM SQM (NYSE: SQM) – Chile – Specializes in lithium and potash products from the salt lakes of the Atacama Desert. Plays a central role in South America’s battery raw material supply

$9696 (-1,55%) Tianqi Lithium (SHE: 002466 / HKG: 9696) – China – Tianqi Lithium is one of the world’s largest lithium producers, with stakes in major hard-rock lithium projects in Australia (Greenbushes Mine) and processing facilities in China. The company supplies lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate for cathode materials in the battery industry. Focus on upstream control and chemical processing

$GLEN (+0,24%) Glencore (LSE: GLEN) – Switzerland – A diversified commodities group focused on nickel, cobalt, and copper. A leader in the recycling and reuse of battery waste

$SSW Sibanye Stillwater (JSE: SSW / NYSE: SBSW) – South Africa / U.S. – Sibanye Stillwater is a mining company focused on platinum group metals such as platinum and palladium (important for fuel cell catalysts), as well as nickel and cobalt from recycling and mining. Strategically particularly relevant because it engages in both primary mining and metal recovery. This positions it at the intersection of battery raw materials, fuel cell catalysts, and recycling streams

$PLS (-1,93%) Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) – Australia – A major producer of spodumene concentrate. It is driving the expansion of local lithium value creation in Western Australia

$SYR (+0%) Syrah Resources (ASX: SYR) – Australia / Mozambique – Mines natural graphite in Balama, Mozambique, and is establishing anode materials production in the U.S. Strategically important for the Western graphite supply

Copper and other industrial metals:

$FCX Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) – U.S. – One of the world’s largest copper producers. Supplies the battery and electronics industries with copper cathodes from mines in North and South America

$BHP (+0%) BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) – Australia / UK – Global mining conglomerate focused on copper, nickel, and iron. Invests heavily in sustainable mining and the decarbonization of raw material production

$RIO (-0,11%) Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) – United Kingdom / Australia – A multinational commodities giant with a growing presence in the lithium sector. A leader in sustainable copper mining and materials processing

Hidden Champions

$SLI (+0,84%) Standard Lithium (NYSE: SLI / TSX-V: SLI) – Canada / U.S. – Standard Lithium is developing direct lithium extraction (DLE) from brine in the U.S. The goal is to extract lithium without traditional hard-rock mining or massive evaporation ponds. This positions the company as a technology-driven lithium developer focused on ensuring North American supply security. This is clearly a second-tier stock with significant upside potential

$VUL (-4,06%) Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL) – Australia / Germany - Vulcan Energy is working on geothermal-coupled lithium extraction in the Upper Rhine Graben in Germany. Approach: Low-carbon lithium production from thermal brine plus regional supply for the European battery cell industry. This is extremely important geopolitically because it enables lithium from Europe for Europe without relying on traditional mining infrastructure

$LKE (-3,23%) Lake Resources (ASX: LKE) – Australia – Develops lithium projects using sustainable direct extraction technology (DLE). The goal is to extract lithium with minimal water consumption and CO₂ emissions

$SGML (-2,24%) Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ: SGML) – Canada/Brazil – Produces high-purity lithium concentrate in Brazil with a focus on ESG-compliant mining and local value creation

$ABAT American Battery Technology Company (NASDAQ: ABAT) – U.S. – Combines raw material extraction with the recycling of lithium and nickel. A pioneer in closed-loop material cycles using domestic sources

2. Refining and Processing

These companies process raw materials into battery chemicals, thereby facilitating the transition to materials technology.

$UMI (-1,26%) Umicore (EBR: UMI) – Belgium – A leader in the refining and processing of nickel, cobalt, and lithium. Develops cathode materials and operates recycling centers in Europe and Asia.

$BAS (+0,61%) BASF (ETR: BAS) – Germany – Global chemical company with a growing focus on battery materials, particularly cathode active materials and nickel-manganese chemistries

$003670 POSCO Future M (KRX: 003670) – South Korea – A specialist in cathode and anode materials. Part of the POSCO Group, it supplies LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI

$051910 LG Chem (KRX: 051910) – South Korea – Develops and manufactures battery materials, polymers, and electrolytes. Closely integrated with LG Energy Solution throughout the entire supply chain

$010130 Korea Zinc (KRX: 010130) – South Korea – Leading provider of rare metal refining. Supplies nickel and zinc products for battery cathodes

Hidden Champions

Ecopro (KRX: 086520) – South Korea – Manufacturer of high-purity cathode materials and precursors for nickel and cobalt chemistries. Key supplier to LG Energy Solution and SK On

Sila Nanotechnologies (private, U.S.) - Develops silicon anode materials to increase energy density and charging speed. Supplies automakers with advanced battery materials

Green Lithium – United Kingdom (private) - Is building Europe’s first large-scale lithium refinery. Focus on ESG-compliant, energy-efficient refining for the European market

Mangrove Lithium – Canada (privately held) - Develops modular refinery plants based on electrochemical processes to convert lithium concentrate into battery-grade lithium hydroxide

$ICL ICL Group (NYSE: ICL) – Israel – Manufactures specialty chemicals and electrolytes for batteries and energy storage. Combines chemical expertise with sustainable process optimization

3. Materials Technology and Component Manufacturing

They supply cathode and anode materials, electrolytes, separators, and coating systems.

$3407 (-0,29%) Asahi Kasei (TYO: 3407) – Japan – Manufacturer of separator films and electrolytes. A global leader in thermal stability and safety

$3402 (-1,51%) Toray Industries (TYO: 3402) – Japan – Develops high-performance polymers and carbon materials for electrodes, separators, and casings

$SOLB (+0,28%) Solvay (EBR: SOLB) – Belgium – Chemical company focused on binders, electrolyte salts, and coatings for cathode and anode production

$MMM 3M (NYSE: MMM) – U.S. – Supplier of additives, protective coatings, and conductive materials. Strong partner in cell and module manufacturing

$018880 Hanon Systems (KRX: 018880) – South Korea – Specializes in thermal management solutions for battery packs and electric powertrains

$PPG PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) – USA – One of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty coatings and functional materials. Develops conductive and protective coatings for battery cells, enclosures, and interconnect components. Supports cell manufacturers with solutions to improve heat dissipation, safety, and service life

Hidden Champions

Nexeon – United Kingdom (privately held) – Develops silicon anode materials to increase energy density in lithium-ion cells. Focuses on lightweight construction and fast-charging capability

Group14 Technologies – U.S. (privately held) – A pioneer in silicon-carbon composites. Collaborates with automakers and cell manufacturers on the next generation of high-energy anodes

$TLG (-9,25%) Talga Group (ASX: TLG) – Australia/Sweden – Integrates graphite mining and anode production. Aims to sustainably produce carbon materials for European cell manufacturing

4. Cell Production

The technological heart of the value chain. This is where capacity, energy density, and cost structures are determined.

$3750 (-1,22%) CATL (SHE: 3750) – China – The world’s largest battery manufacturer with a market share of over 30 percent. A leader in LFP and NMC technologies and a partner to numerous OEMs

$373220 LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) – South Korea – Global cell manufacturer with plants in Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Focuses on high-performance cells for e-mobility and energy storage

$SMSN Samsung SDI (KRX: 006400) – South Korea – Focuses on premium cells with high energy density. Close supplier to BMW, Rivian, and other premium manufacturers

$6752 (-1,53%) Panasonic Holdings (TYO: 6752) – Japan – Long-standing partner of Tesla. Building new production facilities in the U.S. and Japan

Northvolt – Sweden (privately held) – European pioneer in sustainable battery manufacturing. Focus on the circular economy, green energy, and closed-loop supply chains

Hidden Champions

$QS QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) – U.S. – Develops solid-state batteries with ceramic electrolytes for higher energy density and safety. Partners with Volkswagen

$SLDP Solid Power (NASDAQ: SLDP) – U.S. – Specializes in solid-state electrolytes and high-performance cells for automotive applications. Collaborations with BMW and Ford

24M Technologies (private, USA) – Develops semi-solid lithium-ion cells with simplified production. Significantly reduces costs and material consumption

$AMPX Amprius Technologies (NYSE: AMPX) – U.S. – Specializes in silicon nanowire anodes with extremely high energy density. Applications in aviation, drones, and robotics

$ENVX (+0%) Enovix (NASDAQ: ENVX) – U.S. – Develops 3D silicon cells with a novel architecture. Focuses on safety, fast charging, and compact formats

ProLogium – Taiwan (privately held) – Technology leader in solid-state batteries. Building the first large-scale production plant in Europe with partners from the automotive industry

5. Module and Pack Manufacturing

In this phase, individual cells are assembled into complete battery modules and packs. This is where mechanical engineering, robotics, and precision technology converge with energy chemistry and quality assurance. Companies such as KUKA (ETR: KU2), $ABBN (+0,25%) ABB Robotics (VTX: ABBN), Comau (privately held, Italy), Teamtechnik (privately held, Germany), and $LECN Leclanché (SWX: LECN) supply automated systems for the assembly, welding, testing, and cooling of battery modules. Cell manufacturers such as $300014 EVE Energy (SHE: 300014) or $3750 (-1,22%) CATL (SHE: 3750) also manufacture complete battery systems for the automotive and industrial sectors.

Hidden Champions such as $VAR1 Varta (ETR: VAR1), $MVST Microvast (NASDAQ: MVST), and $FORSE (-0,26%) Forsee Power (EPA: FORSE) are developing modular high-performance batteries for commercial vehicles, rail, shipping, and stationary storage solutions.

These companies combine innovative cell chemistry with thermal management, fast-charging capabilities, and longevity.

At the same time, automakers such as $TSLA Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), $1211 (-3,35%) BYD (HKG: 1211), $VOW3 (+0,1%) Volkswagen (ETR: VOW3), $BMW (+0,19%) BMW (ETR: BMW), $MBG (+0,01%) Mercedes-Benz Group (ETR: MBG), $XPEV Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), $NIO NIO (NYSE: NIO), and $RIVN Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) are increasingly integrating cell production into their own value chains in order to independently control efficiency, energy density, and cooling.

In short: At this stage, market-ready battery systems are developed; these are precisely assembled, thermally stabilized, and digitally monitorable. They form the heart of modern e-mobility and energy storage solutions and serve as the bridge between materials science and application.

6. System Integration

Here, the manufactured battery modules are combined into intelligent complete systems—in vehicles, data centers, networks, or industrial facilities.

This stage integrates hardware, software, and control systems into a functional energy landscape.

Companies such as $SIE (-1,95%) Siemens (ETR: SIE), Hitachi Energy (privately held, Switzerland/Japan), $ETN (-0,31%) Eaton (NYSE: ETN), $VRT Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), $WRT1V (-0,53%) Wärtsilä (HEL: WRT1V), $SU (+0,04%) Schneider Electric (EPA: SU), and $ABBN (+0,25%) ABB (VTX: ABBN) are developing comprehensive systems for energy flow control, grid stabilization, and digital integration.

Hidden champions such as $PCELL (-0,37%) PowerCell Sweden (STO: PCELL), Volterion (private, Germany), $ADSE (-0,18%) ADS-TEC Energy (NASDAQ: ADSE), AutoGrid Systems (private, U.S.), $EGT Eguana Technologies (TSXV: EGT), $EOSE Eos Energy Enterprises (NASDAQ: EOSE), and Nuvation Energy (private, U.S.) combine battery storage with control electronics, inverters, and AI-based management software. They create modular energy systems that are flexibly scalable and can be deployed to benefit the grid.

In short: This phase sees the emergence of interfaces between technology and the market—systems that not only store electricity but also intelligently control, distribute, and optimize it.

7. Utilization and Application

This is where the battery industry reveals its economic core. In this phase, energy is not only stored but also strategically deployed in mobility, data centers, grids, industry, and private households.

E-Mobility

Batteries are the foundation of electric powertrains. In addition to $TSLA Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), $1211 (-3,35%) BYD (HKG: 1211), $VOW3 (+0,1%) Volkswagen (ETR: VOW3), $BMW (+0,19%) BMW (ETR: BMW), $MBG (+0,01%) Mercedes-Benz (ETR: MBG), and $NIO NIO (NYSE: NIO) are also part of $STLAM (+0,03%) Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), $LCID Lucid Motors (NASDAQ: LCID), and $RIVN Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN). They are developing their own battery cell chemistries, software, and charging infrastructure.

Hidden Champions such as $VAR1 Varta (ETR: VAR1) and $LECN Leclanché (SWX: LECN) supply modular systems and high-performance cells for specialized applications.

Data Centers and Cloud Infrastructure

The global expansion of AI, cloud, and storage architectures is driving a massive increase in energy consumption. Companies such as $GOOGL (+0,33%) Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL), $MSFT (-2,33%) Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), $AMZN (+0,38%) Amazon Web Services (NASDAQ: AMZN), and $ORCL Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) are developing their own energy strategies and software solutions to operate their global data centers more efficiently and with lower CO₂ emissions. Infrastructure partners such as $EQIX Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) and $DLR (-0,05%) Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR) are relying on battery and hybrid solutions to ensure grid stability. Technology providers such as $VRT Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), $SU (+0,04%) Schneider Electric (EPA: SU), and $WRT1V (-0,53%) Wärtsilä (HEL: WRT1V) provide energy management, cooling, and hybrid power systems.

Hidden Champions such as AutoGrid Systems—AI-controlled virtual power plants, $ADSE (-0,18%) ADS-TEC Energy (NASDAQ: ADSE)—modular high-performance storage for server farms.

Energy suppliers and grid operators (NRPG)

This is where the transition between generation and storage takes place. Utilities such as $FLNC Fluence Energy (NASDAQ: FLNC), $NEE NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), $ENEL (+0,52%) Enel (BIT: ENEL), $TTE (+1,19%) TotalEnergies (EPA: TTE), $RWE (+0,63%) RWE (ETR: RWE), and $ORSTED (+0,12%) Ørsted (CPH: ORSTED) are investing heavily in battery storage to stabilize grids and manage demand. They are joined by specialized developers such as $AMRC (+0%) Ameresco (NYSE: AMRC) and $AES (-0,3%) AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), which implement hybrid storage and power plant projects.

Hidden Champions such as $STEM Stem Inc. (NYSE: STEM) and GridBeyond (privately held, Ireland) connect these systems via software and enable real-time energy trading.

Industrial and residential storage

Decentralized energy systems are increasingly connecting industry, commercial properties, and private households with storage solutions. Sonnen (privately held, Germany)—a subsidiary of $SHEL (+0,83%) Shell (LON: SHEL) is a leader in home storage and energy communities. E3/DC (privately held, Germany) and $EGT Eguana Technologies (TSXV: EGT) provide modular systems for self-consumption and grid independence. Software providers such as TWAICE (private, Germany) monitor storage status, efficiency, and lifespan using digital twins.

Summary of the Usage Level

This phase integrates technology, infrastructure, and digital management. Whether in electric vehicles, cloud data centers, industrial facilities, or private households, batteries serve as the link between energy generation, consumption, and intelligence. This is where it will be determined which technologies will define energy distribution, efficiency, and autonomy in the long term.

9. Quality & Safety / Materials Technology

$KEYS (-0,31%) Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) – U.S. – A leader in measurement technology, signal processing, and test systems for battery and semiconductor applications

National Instruments (NASDAQ: NATI) – U.S. – Develops modular test and measurement systems; now part of Emerson Electric

$FORM FormFactor (NASDAQ: FORM) – U.S. – Specialist in wafer probing and precision measurements in cell and semiconductor manufacturing

$KULR KULR Technology Group (NYSE: KULR) – USA – Specialist in thermal management and safety systems for lithium-ion batteries. The technology originated in the aerospace industry (NASA) and is now used in energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and recycling processes.

9. Recovery and Recycling

These companies close the loop and ensure the recycling of strategic raw materials.

$LICY Li-Cycle (NYSE: LICY) – Canada – Operates recycling facilities for lithium-ion batteries. Recovery of nickel, cobalt, and lithium using hydrometallurgical technology

Redwood Materials – U.S. (privately held) – Founded by Tesla’s former chief technical officer, JB Straubel. A leader in establishing closed-loop material cycles in the U.S.

Primobius – Germany (Neometals/SMS Group joint venture) – Develops modular recycling plants for battery production in Europe. Focus on industrial scalability

$UMI (-1,26%) Umicore (EBR: UMI) – Belgium - Combines materials production and recycling. A leader in the recovery of valuable metals such as platinum, nickel, and cobalt

Stena Recycling (privately held, Sweden) – One of Europe’s leading players in recycling and the circular economy. Processes industrial waste, electronics, and batteries, recovering valuable metals and materials for reuse

Heraeus (privately held, Germany) – A technology group specializing in precious metal recycling and materials technologies. Recovers platinum, gold, silver, and rare metals from industrial and battery waste and uses them to manufacture new functional materials

Hidden Champions

Tozero – Germany (privately held) – An innovative startup specializing in hydrometallurgical battery recycling. Its goal is the complete recovery of lithium, nickel, and graphite

$AMY (+0%) RecycLiCo (TSXV: AMY) – Canada – Develops chemical processes for the efficient recovery of high-purity battery materials

ACE Green Recycling – Singapore (privately held) – Works on CO₂-neutral recycling processes for lead-acid batteries and lithium systems. Focus on energy efficiency and scalability

Along this chain, a global network of specialists, producers, and integrators is emerging. The greatest growth opportunities lie at the intersections—where chemical expertise, digitalization, and the circular economy converge.

1️⃣4️⃣.Equipment manufacturers at each stage, plus overarching financiers and strategic distributors

⚒️ 1. Raw material extraction – “shovels” = exploration, machinery, plant engineering

Who benefits: Machinery manufacturers, chemical and plant equipment suppliers, raw material financiers

$CAT (-0,6%) Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) – U.S. – mining equipment, transport vehicles for lithium and nickel mines

$6301 (-1%) Komatsu (TYO: 6301) – Japan – heavy mining machinery, particularly in South America and Australia

$SAND (-1,38%) Sandvik (STO: SAND) – Sweden – Drilling and rock-cutting equipment (lithium mines)

$FLS (+0,2%) FLSmidth (CPH: FLS) – Processing plants for nickel and cobalt

$EPI A (-0,78%) Epiroc (STO: EPI-A) – Sweden – Specializes in underground drilling, blasting technology, and automated mining solutions

$WEIR (-1,04%) Weir Group (LSE: WEIR) – United Kingdom – Supplies grinding and pumping technology for ore processing and material transport in mines

Hidden Champions

$ANG (-0,81%) Austin Engineering (ASX: ANG) – Australia – Manufactures mining vehicle components and heavy equipment for open-pit mining

$ORI (-1,03%) Orica (ASX: ORI) – Australia – Leading supplier of industrial explosives and drilling chemicals for exploration and mining

$METSO (-1,13%) Metso Outotec (HEL: METSO) – Finland – Equipment for ore processing and metal recovery

Investors / Funds:

$SPWRC8 BlackRock Natural Resources Fund

$LIT Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF

Sprott Physical Battery Metals Trust – Financing of exploration projects

⚗️ 2. Refining & Materials Chemistry – “Shovels” = Process plants, chemical equipment

Who benefits: Chemical plant manufacturers, specialty chemicals, process engineering

$LIN (+0,44%) Linde (NYSE: LIN) – UK – Gas processing, process plants (e.g., electrolytes, carbon-neutral hydrogen for batteries)

$AI (+0,38%) Air Liquide (EPA: AI) – France – industrial gases, CO₂-free syntheses

$WCH (-0,73%) Wacker Chemie (ETR: WCH) – Germany – Silicon compounds for anodes

$BAS (+0,61%) BASF Engineering Services – Germany – Process design & EPC for cathode production

$TE (-0,17%) Technip Energies (EPA: TE) – France – Engineering solutions for chemical refineries

$ANDR (-0,88%) Andritz AG (VIE: ANDR) – Austria – Machinery and plant manufacturer for chemical processing, filtration, and metal separation

$FLS (+0,2%) FLSmidth (CPH: FLS) – Denmark – Supplies large-scale plants for ore processing and metal recovery with a focus on energy efficiency

$VIE (-0,13%) Veolia Environnement (EPA: VIE) – France – Develops industrial water and waste solutions for metal processing and recycling

Hidden Champions

$PYR (+0,79%) PyroGenesis Canada (TSX: PYR) – Canada – Uses plasma technology to refine metals cleanly and efficiently. A sustainable alternative to traditional high-temperature processes

$MMI Metalo Group (TSXV: MMI) – Canada - Specialist in low-carbon metal refining. Develops energy-efficient processes for converting raw materials into battery-grade metals

Financiers / Strategic Partners:

KfW / EIB / EU Innovation Fund – support materials and recycling projects

Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Gates Fund) – invests in new cathode and anode technologies

🧪 3. Materials Technology & Components – “Tools” = Measurement Technology, Machinery, Software

Who benefits: Measuring instruments, lab automation, software for cell research

$TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO) – U.S. – Materials analytics

$BRKR (-1,04%) Bruker (NASDAQ: BRKR) – U.S. – spectroscopy & materials characterization

$HEN3 (-0,13%) Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (ETR: HEN3) – Germany – Global supplier of industrial adhesives, sealants, and thermal materials, central to battery and electronics manufacturing

$MMM 3M Company (NYSE: MMM) – U.S. – Supplies high-performance insulation materials, adhesives, and protective coatings for battery cells and modules

$DD (-0,11%) DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) – U.S. – Produces polymers, insulating materials, and binders for electrolytes, separators, and cell packaging. Focus on safety and energy efficiency

$AMAT (-0,12%) Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) – U.S. – Supplier of production and coating equipment for battery and semiconductor manufacturing

Hidden Champions

Bühler Group (privately held, Switzerland) – Manufacturer of precision equipment for powder processing, coating, and material preparation

$AFX (+0,73%) Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ETR: AFX) – Germany – Leading manufacturer of optical and imaging systems for research, microscopy, and materials analysis. Relevant to cell research and quality control of battery materials

Leica Microsystems (privately held, Germany / part of $DHR (-0,24%) Danaher Corporation, NYSE: DHR – U.S.) – Develops microscopes and imaging systems for materials science and cell analysis. Significant for research and process development in battery cell production

Ionbond (privately held, Switzerland) – A leader in hard coatings for electrodes, contact surfaces, and housings. Extends the service life of critical components

$ENTG (-0,36%) Entegris (NASDAQ: ENTG) – USA – Develops specialty chemicals, filtration, and process solutions for ultra-high-purity battery and semiconductor manufacturing

Software & Simulation Providers:

$DSY (+0,95%) Dassault Systèmes (EPA: DSY) – Battery development simulation (CATIA / SIMULIA)

COMSOL AB (privately held, Sweden) – Developer of the multiphysics simulation platform. Enables coupled simulations of electrochemistry, mechanics, and thermodynamics in battery cells and energy systems

🏭 4. Cell & Module Production – “Shovels” = Production Equipment, Robotics, Measurement Technology

Who benefits: Machine builders, automation, quality control

$300450 Wuxi Lead Intelligent (SHE: 300450) – China – Develops automated production lines for cell manufacturing and assembly

Toshiba (TYO: 6502) – Japan – Manufacturer of cells and production systems for energy storage and vehicles

$SIE (-1,95%) Siemens AG (ETR: SIE) – Germany – Supplies digital production and automation software, including “Digital Twin” solutions for battery factories.

KUKA AG (ETR: KU2) – Germany – Robotics and automation expert for battery pack assembly and manufacturing processes

Hidden Champion

Tera Automation (privately held, Italy) – Precision machines for electrode handling and cell stacking

InoBat Auto (privately held, Slovakia) – Modular small-batch cell production with a research focus on material adaptation

Trumpf (privately held, Germany) – A leader in laser welding technology and manufacturing systems for cell housings and battery modules

$M5Z (+0%) Manz AG (ETR: M5Z) – Germany – Specialist in machine and plant engineering for cell and module production. Offers complete production lines for electrodes and cells

$DUE (-0,92%) Dürr AG (ETR: DUE) – Germany – Manufacturer of coating and drying systems for battery electrodes. Also supplies cleanroom systems for cell production

Bosch Rexroth (private, Germany) - A leader in production control, linear technology, and battery system integration for automated production lines.

Financing & Infrastructure

EU IPCEI Battery Initiative (Europe) – A European funding program worth billions aimed at strengthening European battery production and research.

Capricorn Partners (private, Belgium) - Venture capital investor focused on cleantech, deep tech, and battery projects in Europe. (Hidden Champion)

InnoEnergy (private, EU / Netherlands) - An EU-backed innovation network for financing and scaling battery startups such as Northvolt or Verkor. (Hidden Champion)

Swedish Growth Fund (private, Sweden) – A government-backed fund that invests in Swedish technology companies and battery manufacturing (Northvolt, Polarium). (Hidden Champion)

⚙️ 5. System Integration & Energy Management – “Components” = Power Electronics, Software, Grid Control

Who benefits: Hardware and software providers that control the energy system

$ABBN (+0,25%) ABB Robotics (VTX: ABBN) – Switzerland – Automation systems and robots for assembly, testing, and quality management

KUKA (ETR: KU2) – Germany – Leading provider of robotics and automation solutions for battery pack assembly

$ENR (+1,34%) Siemens Energy (ETR: ENR) – Germany – Grid integration, medium-voltage connections

$ETN (-0,31%) Eaton (NYSE: ETN) – Ireland – Grid protection, smart power distribution

$SU (+0,04%) Schneider Electric (EPA: SU) – France – BMS & EcoStruxure energy platform

$FLNC Fluence (NASDAQ: FLNC) – U.S. – Battery storage control (software + hardware)

Hidden Champions

Fronius International (privately held, Austria) – Specialist in welding technology and power supply systems for e-mobility

Comau (privately held, Italy) – Automation specialist for battery pack assembly, robotics, and testing systems. Close partnerships with automakers

Teamtechnik (privately held, Germany) – Develops automated test systems and production lines for battery and energy modules

Reis Robotics (privately held, Germany) – Specialist in precision robotics, welding, and joining processes in battery manufacturing

Software / AI:

TWAICE (privately held, Germany) – Offers a software platform for analyzing and optimizing battery lifecycles. Focus on condition monitoring, aging modeling, and second-life applications

AutoGrid Systems (privately held, U.S.) – AI-based software for energy management and grid optimization. Connects battery storage systems, solar farms, and wind farms to form virtual power plants

GridBeyond (private, Ireland) – Develops an AI platform for real-time grid control and energy trading optimization for industry and utilities

⚡ 6. Usage / Applications – “Shovels” = Charging Infrastructure, Power Management, Data Centers

Who benefits: Infrastructure, cloud, and network operators

$CHPT (+0,5%) ChargePoint Holdings (NYSE: CHPT) – U.S. – Operates one of the largest networks of electric vehicle charging stations in North America and Europe. Focus on software and infrastructure management

$ABBN (+0,25%) ABB Ltd. (VTX: ABBN) – Switzerland – Global energy and technology group, a leader in charging infrastructure, grid management, and industrial automation

$SIE (-1,95%) Siemens AG (ETR: SIE) – Germany – Technology and industrial conglomerate, strong in power distribution, automation, and digital grid systems

$VRT Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE: VRT) – U.S. – Leading provider of power, cooling, and infrastructure solutions for data centers and telecommunications

$NVDA (+1,26%) NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) – U.S. – Develops AI chips and data center architectures that optimize energy efficiency and performance management

$INTC (-1,64%) Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) – U.S. – Manufacturer of energy-efficient processors and data center platforms, with an increasing focus on AI workloads

$AMD (-1,52%) Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) – U.S. – Manufactures high-performance processors and GPUs with a focus on improving efficiency in data center applications

Hidden Champions

$WBX (-1,34%) Wallbox N.V. (NYSE: WBX) – Spain – Manufacturer of smart chargers and energy management systems for electric vehicles and building integration

$SMCI Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI) – U.S. – Leading provider of energy-efficient server and data center architectures for AI and cloud infrastructure

$ALFEN (+0,23%) Alfen N.V. (AMS: ALFEN) – Netherlands – Specialist in smart grids and battery storage. Strong focus on European electromobility

Financiers / Operators:

$EQIX Equinix Inc. (NASDAQ: EQIX) – U.S. – The world’s largest data center operator. Increasingly investing in its own energy storage and microgrid solutions to improve efficiency and stabilize the power supply

$DLR (-0,05%) Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: DLR) – U.S. – Operates global cloud and colocation data centers. Focuses on integrating battery storage, renewable energy, and energy management systems

$BEP.UN Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE: BEP / TSX: BEP.UN) – Canada – Invests globally in renewable energy, storage technologies, and hydrogen infrastructure. A major financier and operator of hybrid energy systems

♻️ 7. Recycling & Second Life – “Shovels” = recycling technology, sorting machines, chemicals

Who benefits: Recycling plant manufacturers, software, and logistics

$ANDR (-0,88%) ANDRITZ AG (VIE: ANDR) – Austria - Manufacturer of mechanical and chemical processing plants for recycling and battery metal recovery

$NDA (-1,57%) Aurubis AG (ETR: NDA) – Germany – Europe’s largest copper producer and recycler. Entering the battery metal recovery sector to close raw material loops

$UMI (-1,26%) Umicore SA (EBR: UMI) – Belgium – Fully integrated materials and recycling group with closed-loop metal cycles

$LICY Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY) – Canada – Operates hydrometallurgical recycling facilities for lithium-ion batteries

Hidden Champions

Tozero (privately held, Germany) – A startup with innovative hydrometallurgical technology for recovering lithium, nickel, and graphite

$AMY (+0%) RecycLiCo (TSXV: AMY) – Canada – Chemical processing of used batteries. Achieves high purity and low energy consumption

ACE Green Recycling (privately held, Singapore) – CO₂-neutral recycling processes for lithium and lead-acid batteries. Focus on energy efficiency and modular plants

Redwood Materials (private, U.S.) – A startup specializing in battery recycling and secondary raw material production with a focus on closed-loop supply chains

SMS Group (privately held, Germany) – Develops smelting plants and hydrometallurgical systems for metal and battery recycling

Funding Sources:

EU Circular Economy Fund (EU) – Supports European recycling and resource efficiency projects

Breakthrough Energy Ventures (U.S.) – Bill Gates’ climate fund, invests in new recycling technologies

EIT RawMaterials (EU) – EU initiative to support raw materials startups along the battery value chain

💰 8. Overarching Financiers & Strategic Fund Distributors

These players provide capital, technology, or infrastructure to all stages:

$BLK (+0,48%) BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) – U.S. – The world’s largest asset manager, investing in battery, raw materials, and energy technologies via thematic ETFs

Vanguard Group (private, U.S.) – One of the largest global fund providers, with passive investments in the energy and tech sectors

State Street Global Advisors (private, U.S.) – Manages institutional funds, including those focused on clean tech and infrastructure themes

SoftBank Vision Fund (private, Japan) – A private equity fund with investments in energy, battery, and robotics technologies

Temasek Holdings (private, Singapore) – A sovereign wealth fund focused on sustainable energy and infrastructure projects

$GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) – U.S. – Offers investments in energy storage and infrastructure projects through CleanTech and sustainable finance funds

$MS Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) – U.S. – Global financial services firm with dedicated funds for sustainable infrastructure and battery projects

Global X ETFs (U.S.) – Thematic ETF provider focused on lithium & battery tech, clean energy, and critical materials

$IVZ (-0,12%) Invesco (NYSE: IVZ) – U.S. – Asset manager with strategic holdings in CleanTech and infrastructure ETFs

$BEP.UN Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE: BEP) – Canada – Invests in clean energy, battery storage, and hybrid power plants worldwide

Hidden Champions

Khosla Ventures (private, U.S.) – Venture capital firm focused on clean tech, storage technologies, and materials innovation

InnoEnergy (private, EU / Netherlands) – EU-funded innovation network that supports startups along the European battery value chain

1️⃣5️⃣.Interconnections – Hybrid Energy Systems for Data Centers, Industry, and Transportation

Hybrid energy systems combine different energy sources—such as batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaics, wind power, and grid power—into a single, intelligently controlled system. The goal: maximum efficiency, stability, and reliability of supply with minimal emissions.

These systems are at the heart of Energy Infrastructure 4.0. They combine storage, control, and utilization on a single platform. What matters most is no longer which energy source is used, but how it is integrated.

1. Data Centers – Energy Efficiency Through Storage and Grid Intelligence

Core idea: Data centers are continuous consumers of energy. Hybrid systems combining battery storage, fuel cells, and grid management offset peak loads and power servers during grid outages without the need for diesel generators.

Technological integration:

Lithium- or sodium-ion batteries for short-term load peaks

Hydrogen fuel cells for emergency and long-term power supply

Intelligent energy management software (EMS) for load balancing

Relevant companies:

$VRT Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) – U.S. – Power and cooling infrastructure for data centers

$SU (+0,04%) Schneider Electric (EPA: SU) – France – Digital power distribution, smart grids

$ABBN (+0,25%) ABB (VTX: ABBN) – Switzerland – Energy automation, modular microgrids

$EQIX Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) – U.S. – Operator; integrates battery storage and fuel cells

$NVDA (+1,26%) NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) – U.S. – AI-based load control and optimization

2. Industry – Hybrid Power Systems and Load Management

Core Idea: Energy-intensive industries use combined systems comprising storage, renewable sources, and hydrogen to achieve grid independence and cost efficiency.

Technological Integration:

Battery storage (Li-ion, sodium, solid-state) for production peaks

Hydrogen for long-term storage

Heat recovery + grid control via AI

Relevant Companies:

$SIE (-1,95%) Siemens (ETR: SIE) – Germany – Industrial microgrids, energy management

$WRT1V (-0,53%) Wärtsilä (HEL: WRT1V) – Finland – Hybrid power plants for industry and island grids

$TTE (+1,19%) TotalEnergies (EPA: TTE) – France – Integration of solar, batteries, and hydrogen in industrial parks

AutoGrid (private, U.S.) – AI platform for energy management (Hidden Champion)

$ALFEN (+0,23%) Alfen (AMS: ALFEN) – Netherlands – Smart grid and storage systems.(Hidden Champion)

3. Transportation – Energy Infrastructure for New Mobility

Core idea: The transportation sector is increasingly becoming electric, but with a variety of energy sources. Hybrid infrastructures combine battery, hydrogen, and grid systems for road, rail, and aviation.

Technological connections:

Battery swap stations and fast-charging hubs

Hydrogen refueling stations + local electrolysis

Sector coupling between transportation, electricity, and heating

Relevant companies:

$TSLA Tesla Energy (NASDAQ: TSLA) – U.S. – Energy storage and charging infrastructure

$NIO NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO) – China – Battery-swapping networks

$005380 Hyundai Motor (KRX: 005380) – South Korea – Combination of battery and fuel cell propulsion

$BLDP (+2,17%) Ballard Power (NASDAQ: BLDP) – Canada – Fuel cells for commercial vehicles

$NEL (+0,21%) Nel ASA (OSL: NEL) – Norway – Hydrogen electrolysis and refueling systems

4. Interconnection Level – Energy System 4.0

At this level, batteries, fuel cells, renewable sources, and digital control converge into a shared flow of data and energy. The key lies in sector coupling: electricity, heat, mobility, and data share a dynamic grid.

Technology Platforms & Drivers:

$ENR (+1,34%) Siemens Energy (ETR: ENR) – Hybrid grid architectures, Power-to-X

Hitachi Energy (privately held, CH/JP) – Control systems and grid stabilization

$ETN (-0,31%) Eaton (NYSE: ETN) – Power distribution, load management

$ADSE (-0,18%) ADS-TEC Energy (NASDAQ: ADSE) – Fast-charging and storage systems. (Hidden Champion)

After examining the value chains and cross-sector applications, I’d now like to show you the whole picture in a simplified system diagram. The diagram visualizes the energy flow of a hybrid energy system: Renewable sources feed electricity into battery storage and fuel cells, which in turn supply consumers such as data centers, industry, and transportation. An AI control system connects all levels into a self-regulating, data-driven循环 system—the foundation of Energy Infrastructure 4.0.

Structure:

1. Energy Sources (top left)

Sun ☀️ → Photovoltaics

Wind 🌬 → Wind turbines

Grid power ⚡ → Feed-in from the public power grid

Hydrogen (H₂) → Produced by electrolysis from surplus energy

2. Conversion and Storage (center of the diagram)

Battery systems (lithium-sodium, solid-state) – short-term energy storage

Fuel cells / hydrogen tanks – Long-term storage and reconversion to electricity

Hybrid control / energy management system – AI-based control of energy flow

➜ Bidirectional arrows between battery ↔ fuel cell ↔ grid symbolize energy exchange and load management

3. Consumers (bottom right)

Data centers – Constant base load, backed up by storage and fuel cells

Industry – Flexible load control, use of hybrid energy for stabilization

Transportation sector – e-mobility, fast-charging hubs, hydrogen logistics

4. Data and Control Layer (above the center)

AI platforms (e.g., AutoGrid, TWAICE, NVIDIA)

Cloud integration for real-time data

Control of energy flow, CO₂ emissions, and costs

5. Feedback (below / base of the system)

Recycling → Raw material recovery → Cell production

Circular arrow visually leads back to the energy sources – symbolizing a closed-loop value chain

The hybrid energy flow illustrates how electricity, hydrogen, data, and raw materials reinforce one another in a circular, data-driven network. This is the foundation of Energy Infrastructure 4.0, which is dynamic, decentralized, and interconnected across sectors.

1️⃣6️⃣.Energy for humanoid robots: the next evolutionary stage of application

The next industrial revolution is no longer taking place solely in data centers or vehicles, but in the convergence of humans, machines, and energy. Humanoid robots symbolize this transition. These are systems that must think, act, and be self-sufficient. Their energy source is what makes them functional in the first place.

This is where battery technology, microgrid systems, and smart energy distribution intersect directly with artificial intelligence. Power density, longevity, and energy efficiency determine how autonomously these machines can operate. Whether in industry, healthcare, logistics, or everyday life, the stability of their energy supply is becoming a strategic factor for entire value chains. Next-generation batteries, solid-state systems, and mini fuel cells form the foundation for this. Companies that develop or supply these technologies are not only creating products but also building the infrastructure for a new form of intelligence that is energy-independent, networked, and scalable.

16.1 Technical Basis: What a Humanoid Really Needs in Terms of Energy

A humanoid robot is, at its core, a mobile energy system. It must walk, grasp, lift, balance, communicate, see, think, and remain safe while doing so. All of this requires a constant supply of energy.

Key requirements: high energy density with low weight, short-term power spikes, thermal stability, energy recovery, and long operating times without manual recharging. Currently, the energy requirements of humanoid robots range from 500 watts to 2 kilowatts, with energy storage capacities of 1 to 5 kilowatt-hours. A system is only considered suitable for industrial use if it can operate autonomously for several hours and recharge itself or swap modules.

16.2 Storage Status Today and in Five Years

Today:

Lithium-ion systems (NMC, NCA) dominate due to their high energy density.

LFP cells excel in safety and lifespan.

In five years:

Silicon anodes will increase energy density and charging speed.

Partially and fully solid-state batteries will improve safety and stability.

Combinations of batteries and fuel cells will emerge for continuous-load applications.

As a result, the robotics energy market is shifting toward modular, interchangeable high-performance cells with active thermal management and smart controls.

16.3 Industry Landscape

A. Cells and High Energy Density

$AMPX Amprius (NYSE: AMPX) – U.S. High-energy-density silicon anodes, ideal for robotics and drones

$ENVX (+0%) Enovix (NASDAQ: ENVX) – USA 3D cell architecture, compact and capable of fast charging

$QS QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) – U.S. Develops solid-state cells with ceramic electrolytes

$SLDP Solid Power (NASDAQ: SLDP) – U.S. Solid-state electrolytes for safe, high-performance cells

Sila Nanotechnologies (private, U.S.) Silicon anode materials for lighter systems

B. Battery Pack Architecture and Integration

$TSLA Tesla Energy (NASDAQ: TSLA) – USA Vertically integrated battery packs including BMS

$NIO NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO / HKG: 9866) – China Battery swap systems for modular power supply

$LECN Leclanché (SWX: LECN) – Switzerland Modular packs for industry and logistics

C. Actuators and Drive Mechanisms

$6324 (-1,38%) Harmonic Drive Systems (TYO: 6324) – Japan Precision gearboxes for humanoid joints

$6268 (-9,7%) Nabtesco (TYO: 6268) – Japan: Cycloidal gearboxes for high loads and stability

Maxon (privately held, Switzerland): High-performance, high-efficiency motors

D. Power Electronics and Control

$IFX (-0,66%) Infineon Technologies (ETR: IFX) – Germany Power semiconductors for motor control and power distribution

$STM STMicroelectronics (EPA: STM) – Switzerland / France Sensors and energy controllers

$TXN (-0,6%) Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) – U.S. BMS components and cell monitoring

E. Charging, Power Supply, and Infrastructure

$ADSE (-0,18%) ADS-TEC Energy (NASDAQ: ADSE) – Germany High-performance storage and fast-charging units

Wiferion (privately held, Germany) Inductive charging for autonomous systems

$ALFEN (+0,23%) Alfen (AMS: ALFEN) – Netherlands: Smart grids and charging infrastructure for robotics and industry

F. Control, Fleet Management, and Energy Intelligence

TWAICE (privately held, Germany) Software for battery health and lifespan prediction

AutoGrid (privately held, U.S.) AI-based platform for energy distribution and load control

$NVDA (+1,26%) NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) – U.S. Computing platforms for real-time control and energy management

16.4 Who Has the Most Potential

In the short term: Harmonic Drive Systems, Nabtesco, Maxon—because every humanoid robot needs precise, efficient joints.

Medium term: Amprius, Enovix, Sila, QuantumScape, Solid Power—they increase energy density and operational reliability, the key criteria for autonomy.

System-wide: NVIDIA, AutoGrid, TWAICE – because the future lies not only in storage but also in the intelligent control of energy flow.

16.5 Practical Blueprint – Energy Stack of a Humanoid Robot

Energy Storage: Lightweight, high-energy battery module with active thermal management, based on NMC or silicon.

Drive: BLDC motors with harmonic or cycloidal gearboxes, integrated regenerative braking. Power electronics: Inverters and DC/DC converters from Infineon or STMicro, BMS from Texas Instruments.

Charging Infrastructure: Quick-swap packs, inductive intermediate charging with ADS-TEC or Wiferion.

Intelligence: Status diagnostics via TWAICE, energy coordination via AutoGrid, computational control via NVIDIA.

A stack like this not only makes humanoid robots operational but also economically viable. It’s no longer just about robotics—it’s about energy expertise. Whoever masters this stack controls not only the machine but also the business case behind it.

1️⃣7️⃣.Takeaway

The battery industry has long since evolved from a standalone solution into a multifaceted ecosystem in which materials, technologies, data, and energy flows are intertwined. Hybrid energy systems that combine batteries, fuel cells, and renewable sources are no longer a vision but a reality, evident in data centers, industrial parks, and transportation systems around the world. What matters most is no longer just how energy is generated or stored, but how it is intelligently controlled and integrated into existing grids. This is precisely where the real added value lies: in the ability to synchronize energy flows, data systems, and capital flows. Perhaps this is the point at which it will be decided in the future who will shape true energy autonomy—those who produce energy, or those who can control it precisely?

1️⃣8️⃣.Sources & data used:

International Energy Agency (IEA) – Global EV & Battery Outlook 2024

BloombergNEF – Battery Supply Chain & Energy Storage Report

McKinsey & Company – Battery Value Chain 2030

Fraunhofer ISI – Energy System Analysis: Germany & the EU 2024

Company Reports & Investor Relations:

CATL, Tesla, Northvolt, Siemens Energy, Hitachi Energy

Manz AG, Vulcan Energy, Li-Cycle, Umicore, Albemarle

Market Analyses: Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, S&P Global, Reuters Energy Desk

Research Sources: IEA Hydrogen Roadmap, EU Strategic Raw Materials Act, Battery Passport Initiative (Global Battery Alliance)

Images:

Illustrative image — JLStock / Shutterstock.com

Photo: dpa

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.Zs6cG53hAFkOB4TXG0psVgHaDR?pid=Api&P=0&h=180

https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/News/2024/1280x854_batterie_und_charging_V1.png

The weak dollar exchange rate against the euro for months now is having a noticeable impact on German companies. Numerous companies are expecting significantly lower profits in the second quarter and a continuing burden from the unfavorable exchange rate.

At the end of February, the euro was still trading at around 1.05 dollars, and some were even expecting the currencies to reach parity. But the opposite has happened: Since the threat of high US tariffs in March, the US currency has been weakening, with one euro currently costing 1.17 dollars - a 14% appreciation of the euro.

Large companies with strong foreign operations are particularly affected by this. "In the Dax, that's almost all of them," says Jörg Held, Head of Portfolio Management at the fund company Ethenea. He warns that the weakness of the dollar is "becoming a measurable profit killer". Many experts believe that the negative impact of the currency constellation will not disappear for the time being.

Companies' results will come under pressure in two ways: products from export-oriented companies such as $P911 (+0,64%) Porsche become more expensive when their price is converted into dollars. Their competitiveness is weakened because competing products from companies in other currency areas with lower exchange rate fluctuations become comparatively cheaper.

"A ten percent appreciation of the euro reduces the profit growth of European companies by three to five percentage points over the course of a year," calculates Ulrich Stephan, Chief Investment Strategist at Deutsche Bank.

• BASF
  $BAS (+0,61%) has lowered its forecast for 2025 by eight percent and now expects an adjusted profit of between 7.3 and 7.7 billion euros. Currency effects already depressed earnings in the second quarter. The negative effect on earnings is primarily due to the translation of earnings generated abroad into euros. In February, the world's largest chemical company was still expecting an exchange rate of 1.05 dollars per euro for the year as a whole. BASF is now assuming 1.15 dollars.

• SAP $SAP (+0,6%) sees a "significant headwind in the profit and loss account this year" due to the development of exchange rates, as CFO Dominik Asam says. Every percentage point by which the dollar depreciates leads to a loss of around half a percentage point in growth for SAP.

• Wacker Chemie
  $WCH (-0,73%) expects the current exchange rate level to continue. The rule of thumb within the Group is that a depreciation of the dollar against the euro of one dollar cent will have an impact of around minus three million euros on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization without hedging.

Analysts expect the weak dollar to affect other DAX companies. JP Morgan, for example, has just withdrawn its buy recommendation for Airbus shares $AIR (-0,86%) shares, partly because the exchange rate is putting pressure on profit margins. The aircraft manufacturer mainly produces in the eurozone, while the majority of its revenue is generated in dollars.

The real beneficiaries of the weak dollar are based in the USA. For example, the world's largest healthcare group Johnson & Johnson $JNJ (+0,19%) has just raised its forecast for 2025. The second quarter was stronger than analysts had expected. In international business, however, Group sales grew almost solely due to the positive impact of the dollar.

The current weakness of the dollar as the world's leading currency is not only affecting companies that trade with the USA: All companies, regardless of whether they export to Asia, Oceania, Africa or South America, are affected, as the majority of international payment transactions and trade contracts are still settled in US dollars.

Experts expect the dollar to weaken further.

"In our view, we are only at the beginning of the bear market for the dollar," says Laurent Denize, co-investment manager at Oddo BHF. Many banks are assuming that the 1.20 dollar per euro mark could soon be reached.

There are several reasons for this: the tariff and trade dispute, the associated changeable and unpredictable policy in the US, the high level of new debt and, finally, US President Donald Trump's public criticism of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. All of this is undermining confidence in a reliable US policy - and: "All of this is tarnishing the image of the US dollar," says foreign exchange expert Sonja Marten from DZ Bank.

The discussion about a possible de-dollarization has been gaining momentum for months. This refers to the debate about whether the US dollar is losing its nimbus as the world's reserve currency. "For the first time in a long time, we believe this discussion is actually justified," says Marten. In her opinion, investors looking for alternatives to the dollar will inevitably end up in the eurozone.

If this happens, the euro will continue to gain in value as money flows from dollar to euro investments.

The trend towards the euro is likely to be fueled by the fact that the European Central Bank has probably almost reached the end of its cycle of interest rate cuts after eight cuts in the last two years. The financial markets are only pricing in a further small interest rate cut of 0.25 percentage points by the end of next year.

By contrast, market participants in the US are expecting four interest rate cuts totaling one percentage point by the end of 2026, according to data from the financial news service Bloomberg. The interest rate level between the two currency regions is therefore likely to converge.

The result: the previous advantage for investors in the USA of receiving more interest for their investments there would disappear. This would make dollar investments (even) less attractive in future and, in turn, create further potential for the euro - to the chagrin of export-oriented companies from the eurozone with a strong international presence.

Source (excerpt) & chart: Handelsblatt, 25.07.25

$WCH (-0,73%)

Can't find any information on today's pleasing plus. Anyone have any info?

The second.

Unfortunately, chemistry is not going so well at the moment, but I am still convinced in the medium to long term.

I was inspired by a Focus Money article and because many people here are asking.

I won't be investing myself, it's too short-term for me. But there are still some very interesting companies.

Feel free to write in the comments whether such "copied articles" are of any use to the community or are legally correct :)

The signs of a peace process in Ukraine are solidifying. This is triggering a run on the stock market for shares that could benefit from reconstruction

Regardless of the political interpretation, the stock market has been turning its back on the war for several days now and is betting on the coming peace. Stocks that are likely to benefit from the reconstruction in Ukraine have soared. The UBS Ukraine Reconstruction Index, which comprises 25 of these stocks, has been climbing for days and is at an all-time high. "The effects of a possible ceasefire in Ukraine are still being underestimated on the financial markets," says Bernd Meyer, Chief Investment Strategist and Head of Multi Asset at Berenberg, who is convinced that the rally will continue. Reconstruction requires enormous resources. According to estimates by the World Bank, the costs for this amount to a total of 500 billion dollars - the equivalent of Austria's gross domestic product and more than three times Ukraine's annual economic output before the war. The money is likely to benefit construction companies, suppliers, infrastructure companies and banks in particular. European companies could be the main beneficiaries - especially from neighboring countries such as Poland and Hungary, but also the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.

With Wärtsilä $WRT1V (-0,53%) a provider of technologies for the shipping and energy markets, and Konecranes $KCR (-0,44%) a manufacturer of industrial cranes and drive technology, Finnish companies are also on the list of potential peace beneficiaries - as are Italian companies such as the cement and building materials manufacturer Buzzi $BZU (+1,12%) The list is long. There is a great need for building materials, steel and cables to restore the destroyed infrastructure and energy supply. There is still no thematic fund or ETF on the beneficiaries of the reconstruction in Ukraine. Investors who want to benefit from this are therefore well advised to combine several securities into a portfolio themselves.

Banks: Erste Group Bank $EBS (-0,39%) Powszechna K. Osz $PKO (+0,54%) Santander Polska $SPL (-0,85%) Polska K. Opieki $PEO (-0,13%) Raiffeisen Bank Int.$RBI (+0,48%)

Construction: Wienerberger $WIE (+1%) Sniezka Construction $SKA (+0,66%) Strabag $STR (+0,75%)

Insulation: Kingspan Group $KRX (-0,31%) Rockwool $ROCK B

Glass: Cie de Saint-Gobain $SGO (-0,65%)

Cranes: Konecranes $KCR (-0,44%)

Cement: CRH $CRH (+0,09%) Buzzi $BZU (+1,12%) Holcim $HOLN (-0,23%) Heidelberg Mat. $HEI (+1,07%)

Construction machinery: Caterpillar $CAT (-0,6%)

Mining: Ferrexpo $FXPO (-1,88%) Metso $METSO (-1,13%)

Chemicals: BASF $BAS (+0,61%)

Industrial gases: Air Liquide $AI (+0,38%)

Infrastructure: Schneider Electric $SU (+0,04%) Rexel $RXL (-0,64%) Wärtsilä $WRT1V (-0,53%) Weir Group $WEIR (-1,04%)

Infrastructure (E): Siemens Energy $ENR (+1,34%) Prysmian $PRY (+0%) NKT $NKT (+0,17%) Nexans $NEX (+0%)

Agriculture: Kernel $KER (-0,17%)

Logistics(warehouse): Kion $KGX (-1,43%)

Steel: Arcelor Mittal $MT (-1,06%) and for stainless steels Outukompu $OUT1V (-0,83%)

Sanitary technology: Geberit $GEBN (+0,26%)

Specialty chemicals: Evonik $EVK (-0,14%) Arkema $AKE (-0,51%) Wacker Chemie $WCH (-0,73%) Lanxess $LXS (+0,3%)

A few days before the Bundestag elections, Wall Street has discovered its special love for Europe and German second-line stocks. The small cap index MDaxwhich is usually overshadowed by the Dax, is suddenly enjoying a level of attention not seen for years. Several major Wall Street addresses have published analyses of the index of medium-sized companies almost simultaneously.

The MDax is considered to be one of the most undervalued indices in the Old World and this is precisely what makes it particularly attractive from Wall Street's perspective. The Bundestag elections are fueling this bet: if Germany manages to turn the economy around afterwards, the MDax could benefit disproportionately.

Around a third of the MDax companies' business is attributable to the domestic market. Accordingly, the local misery has weighed much more heavily on the index. By contrast, the index has not yet priced in the economic policy stimuli that could arise after the election.

Possible beneficiaries are (examples):

Through lower energy costs:

$WCH (-0,73%) | $LXS (+0,3%) | $GBF (-2,19%)

Improved consumer sentiment:

$CTS (+0%) | $BOSS (+1,69%) | $SIX2 (-4,29%)

Suitable funds could be

$EXID (-0,06%) | $MD4X (-0,06%)

Source (excerpts) & graphic:

WELT editorial team "Alles auf Aktien"

⬆️⬆️⬆️

- EXANE BNP raises the price target for ALLIANZ SE from EUR 271 to EUR 295. Underperform. $ALV (+1,19%)

- BARCLAYS raises the target price for AIRBUS from EUR 166 to EUR 200. Overweight. $AIR (-0,86%)

- UBS raises its price target for SAP from EUR 237 to EUR 283. Buy. $SAP (+0,6%)

- BERENBERG raises the price target for LVMH from EUR 695 to EUR 720. Buy. $MC (+0,02%)

- EXANE BNP raises the target price for MUNICH RE from EUR 550 to EUR 560. Outperform. $MUV2 (+1,18%)

- RBC raises the target price for SIEMENS from EUR 205 to EUR 225. Outperform. $SIE (-1,95%)

- CITIGROUP raises the target price for STELLANTIS from EUR 12.40 to EUR 13. Neutral. $STLA

- KEPLER CHEUVREUX raises the target price for DOUGLAS from 28.60 EUR to 29.90 EUR. Buy. $DOU (-2,79%)

- CITIGROUP raises the target price for DWS from EUR 43 to EUR 44.70. Buy. $DWS (-0,66%)

- CITIGROUP raises the price target for FRAPORT from EUR 62 to EUR 72. Buy. $FRA (-0,55%)

- UBS upgrades AMADEUS IT from Neutral to Buy and raises target price from EUR 67 to EUR 80. $AMS (+0,58%)

- DEUTSCHE BANK RESEARCH raises target price for PHILIPS from EUR 25 to EUR 26. Hold. $PHIA (+0,98%)

- DEUTSCHE BANK RESEARCH raises the target price for MAN GROUP from GBP 2.65 to GBP 2.75. Buy.

- GOLDMAN raises the target price for RIO TINTO from GBP 67 to GBP 73. Buy. $RIO (-0,11%)

- JEFFERIES raises the price target for SIEMENS ENERGY from EUR 31 to EUR 50. Hold. $ENR (+1,34%)

- RBC raises the target price for SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC from EUR 195 to EUR 210. $SU (+0,04%) Underperform.

- EXANE BNP upgrades HANNOVER RÜCK from Neutral to Outperform and raises target price from EUR 265 to EUR 285. $HNR1 (+1,72%)

⬇️⬇️⬇️

- DEUTSCHE BANK RESEARCH lowers the price target for NOVO NORDISK from DKK 1000 to DKK 900. Buy. $NOVO B (-0,22%)

- BOFA lowers the target price for RWE from EUR 44 to EUR 42. Buy. $RWE (+0,63%)

- JPMORGAN lowers the price target for NETFLIX from USD 1010 to USD 1000. Overweight. $NFLX (-1,04%)

- MORGAN STANLEY lowers the price target for SYMRISE from EUR 137 to EUR 130. Overweight. $SY1 (+1,48%)

- KEPLER CHEUVREUX lowers the target price for REDCARE PHARMACY from EUR 145 to EUR 138. Hold. $RDC (-1,81%)

- WARBURG RESEARCH lowers the target price for BECHTLE from EUR 51 to EUR 45. Buy. $BC8 (-1,16%)

- STIFEL downgrades WACKER CHEMIE from Buy to Hold. $WCH (-0,73%)

- RBC lowers the price target for DAIMLER TRUCK from EUR 55 to EUR 51. Outperform. $DTG (+0,99%)

Reading time: approx. 10min

1) INTRODUCTION

Since 2023 at the latest and the rapid rise of Nvidia $NVDA (+1,26%) semiconductors and "AI chips" in particular have been the talk of the town. Since then, investors have been chasing after almost every company that has something to do with the production of chips, driving share prices to unimagined heights. However, hardly any investors really know how complex the value chain is within the production of modern chips.

In this article, I will give you an overview of the entire production process and the companies involved. Even if many of you have a vague idea that the production of modern chips is complex, you will certainly be surprised by how complex it really is in reality.

2) BASIC

The starting point for every chip are so-called wafers [1] - i.e. thin wafers, which usually consist of so-called high-purity monocrystalline silicon. In the field of power semiconductors, which primarily comprises chips for applications with higher currents and voltages, silicon carbide (SiC) or galium nitride (GaN) has recently also been used as the base material for the wafers.

In the so-called front end the actual core components of the chips - the so-called dies - are created and applied to the wafers. The dies are rectangular structures that contain the actual functionality of the later chip. The finished dies are then tested for their functionality and electrical properties. Each die that is found to be good is then integrated into the so-called backend where the individual dies are separated on the wafer. This is followed by the so-called packaging. The individual dies from the front end are then electrically contacted and integrated into a protective housing. In the end, this housing with the contacted die is what is usually called the chip chip.

Now that we have a rough overview of the overall process, let's take a closer look at the individual processes involved in producing the dies on the wafer. This is the area in which most highly complex machines are used and which is usually the most sensitive.

3) FROM SAND TO WAFER

Before wafers made of high-purity silicon can even be produced and the actual process for manufacturing dies can begin, the actual wafer must first be manufactured in almost perfect quality. To do this, quartz sand, which consists largely of silicon dioxide, is reduced with carbon at high temperatures. This produces so-called raw siliconwhich, with a purity of around 96%, is not yet anywhere near the quality required for the production of wafers.

In several chemical processes, which are carried out by Wacker Chemie
$WCH (-0,73%) or Siltronic
$WAF (-0,09%) are used to turn the "impure" silicon into so-called polycrystalline silicon with a purity of 99.9999999%. For every billion silicon atoms, there is then only one foreign atom in the silicon. However, this pure polycrystalline silicon is still not suitable for the production of wafers, as the crystal structure in the silicon is not uniform enough. In order to create the right crystal structure, the polycrystalline silicon is then melted again and a so-called ingotwhich is made from monocrystalline silicon is produced. A comparison between raw silicon and the ingot can be found in the following image [3]:

This ingot is then sawn into thin slices, which are then the final wafers for semiconductor production. The best-known wafer producers are Shin Etsu
$4063, (-2,11%)
Siltronic or GlobalWafers
$6488.

4) FROM THE WAFER TO THE DIE

The wafers described in the previous section can now be used to produce dies. The overall process for producing dies basically consists of applying a large number of layers using various chemical, mechanical and physical processes. The overall process (depending on the product) takes approx. 80 different layers on the wafer, requiring almost 1000 different process steps and 3 months
non-stop production are required [4].

A macroscopic analogy is useful here, which I have also taken from [4]. You can compare the overall process for producing dies with baking a large multi-layer cake. This cake has 80 layers and the recipe for baking it consists of 1000 steps. It takes 3 months to make the cake and if even one layer of the cake deviates from the recipe by more than 1%, the whole cake collapses and has to be thrown away.

In the first process steps, the wafer is covered with billions tiny little transistors are created on the wafer, which are then all individually electrically contacted in the following steps. The final steps consist of electrically connecting the transistors to each other, resulting in a complete electrical circuit [4]:

Each individual layer of the approximately 80 layers in the die requires highly specialized processes, which can be roughly summarized as:

• Applying masks: Photolithography, photoresist coating (applying photoresist)
• Apply material: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Atomic Layer Deposition
• Remove material: Plasma annealing, Wet annealing, Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP)
• Modify material: Ion Implanting, Annealing
• Material cleaning
• Inspecting the layers: Optical, Microscopical, Focused Ion Beam, Defect Inspection

Apply masks

Ultimately, a mask can be thought of as an enlarged copy of the structure of a special layer in the die. These so-called photomasks are then scanned using so-called scanners or steppers "copied" in reduced size onto the wafer. The best-known manufacturer of such lithography systems is ASML
$ASML (+0,29%). It is currently the only producer of lithography systems that make it possible to produce structures smaller than 10 nanometers on the wafer. In today's powerful and modern chips, such as those found in smartphones, AI chips and processors, the smallest structures are around 3 nanometers in size. Other manufacturers of lithography systems for larger structures (10nm and larger) are Canon Electronics
$7739 or Nikon $7731 (-2,19%) .

The photomasks - i.e. the enlarged "copies" of the structures - are produced by companies such as Toppan $7911 (-2,14%) , Dai Nippon Printing
$7912 (-0,64%) or Hoya $7741 (-1,38%) manufactured. Systems for cleaning the photomasks or for applying the photoresist are produced, for example, by Suss Microtec
$SMHN (-1,55%) for example.

Apply/remove/modify/clean material

As can be seen in the overview above, there are a variety of methods and processes for modifying the material of a particular layer. As a result, there is a lot of different equipment that can handle a process very well with incredible specialization. The best-known and most successful equipment manufacturers include Applied Materials $AMAT (-0,12%), LAM Research
$LRCX (-1,09%), Tokyo Electron (TEL)
$8035, (+1,07%)
Suss Mictrotec, Entegris
$ENTG (-0,36%) and Axcelis $ACLS (+0,38%).

The material - for example, highly specialized chemicals - is of course also required for production. Companies such as Linde
$LIN (+0,44%), Air Liquide
$AI (+0,38%), Air Products
$APD (+0,44%) and Nippon Sanso
$4091 (+0,88%) are major manufacturers of process gases such as nitrogen, hydrogen and argon.

Inspect

As mentioned, every single layer in the manufacturing process of a die must be perfect in order to obtain a functional die at the end. Any small deviation or foreign particles can impair the functionality of the die. As the function of the die can only be checked precisely on the finished die, it is advantageous to inspect the individual layers for defects and deviations during production. Special machines are required for this, which must be able to do different things depending on the layer. Manufacturers of such machines include KLA
$KLAC (-1,02%) or Onto Innovation
$ONTO (-1,37%).

The following applies to almost all of the companies mentioned in this section: the companies are highly specialized and have quasi-monopolies on the machines for certain process steps. quasi-monopolies. Suitable equipment therefore usually costs several million dollars. In addition, some of the systems are so complex that they can only be maintained by the manufacturer's own service staff, which ensures recurring service revenue for every machine sold. As a rule, each machine requires several highly specialized engineers to ensure long-term stable operation.

5) FROM THE DIE TO THE FINISHED CHIP

Once the wafer has been processed, the dies on the wafer are checked for functionality. There is highly specialized equipment for this, so-called probers. These probers test each individual chip several times, if necessary, to check the functionality implemented in the design. Manufacturers of such probers include Teradyne $TER (-1,67%), Keysight Technologies
$KEYS (-0,31%), Onto Innovation or Tokyo Electron. These probers have to control each individual die, some of which are only a few square millimetres in size, and contact the corresponding much smaller test structures with tiny needles. The testing process is sometimes outsourced to entire companies that offer die testing as a complete package. One example of such providers is Amkor Technology
$AMKR (-0,83%).

The processed and tested wafer is now sawn to obtain individual dies. The dies that are found to be good are then integrated into a protective housing in the backend. The dies that have not passed the functionality test are either sorted out or (depending on the error pattern) processed as a variant with reduced functionality similar to those with full functionality. After a final functional test in the package, the chip is ready for use.

6) FOUNDRIES, FABLESS & SOFTWARE

Now that we have an overview of the complex process of manufacturing a chip, let's zoom out a little further to understand which companies perform which tasks in the semiconductor industry.

It's funny that not once in the manufacturing process has the name Nvidia $NVDA (+1,26%) or Apple $AAPL (+0,21%) has been mentioned? Yet they have the most advanced chips, don't they?

The pure production of the chips is done by other companies - so-called foundries. Companies like Nvidia and even AMD $AMD (-1,52%) are in fact fablessThis means that they do not have their own production facilities but only supply the chip design and let the foundries manufacture the actual chip according to their design.

The design of a chip is like the blueprint for production - the foundries then take over the recipe creation and the actual production. There is special software for designing chips. Companies known for this software include Cadance Design
$CDNS (-0,14%) and Synopsys $SNPS (-0,06%). But also the industrial giant Siemens
$SIE (-1,95%) now also supplies software for designing integrated circuits. Synopsys also offers other software for data analysis within foundry production.

Speaking of foundries; the best known foundry is probably TSMC
$TSM, (-0,14%) which is the global market leader in foundries. TSMC designs itself no chips itself and specializes exclusively in the production of the most advanced generations of chips. Another major player that also masters the most advanced structure sizes is Samsung $005930. In contrast to TSMC manufactures Samsung also produces its own designs. Other large foundries are Global Foundries
$GFS, (-0,99%) which was originally a spin-off from AMD and the Taiwanese company United Micro Electronics
$UMC. (-0,7%)

The best-known fabless companies - i.e. companies without their own chip production - are Nvidia, Apple, AMD, ARM Holdings
$ARM, (-1,21%)
Broadcom $AVGO (-1,98%), MediaTek $2454 and Qualcomm $QCOM. (-1,21%) In the meantime Alphabet $GOOGL, (+0,33%)
Microsoft $MSFT, (-2,33%)
Amazon $AMZN (+0,38%) and Meta $META (+0,15%) have designed their own chips for certain functionalities and then have them manufactured in foundries.

In addition to foundries and fabless companies, there are of course also hybrid models, i.e. companies that take on both production and design. The best-known examples of this are, of course, companies such as Intel
$INTC (-1,64%) and Samsung. There is also a whole range of so-called Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM)which for the most part only manufacture their own designed chips and do not accept customer orders for production. Well-known companies such as Texas Instruments
$TXN, (-0,6%)
SK Hynix
$000660,
STMicroelectronics
$STMPA, (+0,36%)
NXP Semiconductors
$NXPI, (-0,88%)
Infineon $IFX (-0,66%) and Renesas $6723 (-0,92%) are among the IDMs.

FINAL WORD

The aim of this article was to provide an overview of the complexity of the semiconductor industry. I do not, of course no claim to be complete, as there are of course many other companies that are part of this value chain. As Getquin thrives on active exchange, I'll give you some food for thought to discuss in the comments below the article:

• feel free to link any other companies in the comments if you think I've forgotten any relevant ones
• what was the most surprising new information for you from the article?
• which companies from the article have you never heard of?
• before reading the article, did you know approximately how a modern chip is produced and what steps are necessary for this?

In general, I can recommend the 20-minute YouTube video at [4] to any interested reader. It provides an excellent animated overview of the manufacturing process of modern chips.

Stay tuned,

Yours RealMichaelScott

SOURCES:

[1] Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wafer

[2] https://www.halbleiter.org/waferherstellung/einkristall/

[3] https://solarmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/solarmuseum_org-07917.jpg

[4] Branch Education on YouTube: "How are Microchips Made?" https://youtu.be/dX9CGRZwD-w?si=xeV0TYgJ2iwNOKyO