The three founders behind Crino are Ilya Zilberman, Andreas Noel and Felix Bauer. Before getting into the startup scene, Ilya Zilberman and Andreas Noel researched together in the field of lithium ion batteries at the Institute for Electrical Energy Storage Technology at TUM. Felix Bauer worked in the purchasing department of a large OEM before he was recruited by the duo to found Crino with them.
The Crino founders’ vision is to make batteries cheaper and more powerful with the industrial application of thermal measuring techniques. An end-of-line test (EOL) is essential in the manufacturing of lithium ion batteries. The test ensures the batteries are free of any material defects:
“A major problem with lithium ion batteries is that if there’s a defect, they can easily catch fire or even explode. At the moment, BMW and Ford are recalling vehicles due to the batteries posing an increased fire risk. That’s why all batteries have to undergo safety testing during production.”
From two weeks to less than a day
The current test requires 14 days, which makes lithium ion batteries more expensive than necessary. With Crino’s technology – which the startup has also had patented – it should be possible to reduce the testing period to less than one day. This should cut back on costs for storage, equipment and capital commitment and also lower the reject rate. But doesn’t that already exist? Felix Bauer replied:
“Of course thermal measurement is already used for battery cells, but a device developed specifically for the needs of lithium ion batteries doesn’t exist yet. Our measurement devices can be integrated into production lines and scaled accordingly, and are much more affordable than all of the established technologies. In the field of safety testing during production, no other technology is as fast and precise as ours. But of course the competition never rests. That’s why our clear focus is on speed in getting to market readiness and establishment of the product.”
The startup is currently testing its technology at a battery cell manufacturing plant in Germany – and the initial results are promising according to the founders. They’ve also already acquired their first customers.
“In five years, we’ll be number one in the field of cell finishing”
Crino has already attracted attention in the Munich startup scene. For example, the startup impressed the jury during the first phase of the Munich Business Plan Competition.
So what’s next? The founders replied:
“In five years, we’ll be number one in the field of cell finishing and will be equipping gigafactories like those of Tesla, Samsung LG and CATL with our testing systems. We’ll also then move the focus of our product away from hardware and more toward software. That will allow us to offer customers significant advantages for optimizing production.”
Ambitious plans. Is a quick exit also planned? Felix Bauer emphasized:
“We’re a deeptech startup, which means even a quick exit requires a lot of patience.”
