Dr. Karina Bobkin joined InoBat in January 2022 as a Cell Development Manager to coordinate InoBat’s pouch cell development from design to industrialization as a part of the Product development Department of InoBat. Karina has more than 12 years of experience in the development of energy conversion and storage solutions. Prior to InoBat, she worked at Continental AG in the Li-ion cell engineering team to design and develop high-performance EV cells at scale for automotive applications. Beyond that, she was responsible for the solid-state battery projects and battery life cycle assessment. She always had a great interest in advanced battery engineering, new battery technology scouting as well as battery sustainability and now is involved in the data collection process for the battery passport implementation.

Miha Podbreznik is Technology Manager at the Fraunhofer Research Institute for Battery Cell Production FFB. In this role, he conducts research on both established and emerging technologies in the field of battery cell production. His responsibilities include strategic technology assessment, technology screening and technology strategy development. In addition, Miha is actively involved in research projects and provides consulting services to industry partners. Miha's academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Production Engineering, both from RWTH Aachen University.

The Pop in Your Job:
I find my job exciting due to the interplay between innovation and sustainability in battery cell production. Each day presents an opportunity to contribute to the evolution of energy storage technologies, which is a crucial component in the global shift towards renewable energy. I enjoy navigating the complexities of emerging technologies and translating cutting-edge research into practical, sustainable solutions. This position not only challenges my technical and strategic skills but also aligns with my personal commitment to sustainability. Witnessing the impact of our work on advancing battery cell production fuels my passion and dedication. This intersection of professional challenges and personal values is what makes my job profoundly rewarding.

Dr. Wang's expertise is deeply rooted in metallurgy, chemical technology and materials engineering. She is a member of the prestigious European Urban Mining Research Group in Belgium and was Vice President of Beijing Ruidow Information and worked for the China business development subsidiary of Noble Group, a Fortune 500 company. Through her extensive involvement with various internationally renowned companies and clients in the rare metals industry as well as international organizations and institutions, she is a valued member of the global scientific community in the field of renewable energy.

Dr. Johannes Hattendorff leads global Business Development for OE and commercial vehicle customers at Webasto Battery Systems. With a background in physics and an MBA, he entered the lithium-ion battery field in 2011 through a joint PhD at BMW AG and TUM. Since joining Webasto in 2016, Johannes has held key engineering roles in Germany and Korea, supporting major battery projects before taking on his current global role in 2024.

InoBat specializes in the pioneering research, development, manufacture, and provision of premium innovative electric batteries custom-designed to meet the specific requirements of global mainstream and specialist OEMs within the automotive, commercial vehicle, motorsport, and aerospace sectors.

As a link between science, research, and industry, the main objective of the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB is to establish a research infrastructure for ecological and economical battery cell production. It intends to accelerate the innovation and commercialization process of production technologies for existing and future cell formats. The focal points of our work gather in all areas around battery (production): from battery technology and certification of new battery types to process optimization in production, application, battery recycling, and further education opportunities.

Botree Recycling Technologies is a leading global developer and provider of state-of-the-art solutions for recycling of critical battery materials. Through the innovation of separation system and intelligent equipment, Botree enables recycling enterprises, electric vehicle enterprises, battery manufacturers and other entities responsible for recycling to realize short, closed and sustainable recycling of battery materials.

As a global innovative systems partner to the mobility industry, Webasto is one of the 100 largest suppliers to the automotive sector worldwide. In development, manufacturing and sales, the company focuses on roof systems on the one hand and on vehicle electrification on the other hand. The product range includes openable and fixed roofs, electric high-voltage heaters and batteries, as well as thermo management solutions. Among the customers of Webasto are manufacturers of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and boats, as well as dealers and end customers. In 2024, according to preliminary figures, the Group generated sales of around 4.3 billion euros and employed around 15,300 people at more than 50 locations. The headquarters of the company, which was founded in 1901, is located in Stockdorf near Munich (Germany).