Rheinmetall subsidiary secures funding for new capacitor production
Rheinmetall's subsidiary Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH has received approximately €1.5 million in funding from the German state and EU for the development of production processes for novel NanoLamTM capacitors.
Hartha, Germany – Rheinmetall's subsidiary, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, has been awarded approximately €1.5 million in funding from the German state of Saxony and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for its Hartha facility.
The funding supports the NanoLink project, which aims to develop innovative production processes and analysis methods for manufacturing high-performance NanoLamTM capacitors. These capacitors are intended for use in next-generation electric vehicle powertrains and offer significant advantages over current technologies.
The Hartha site houses Europe's first demonstration plant for NanoLamTM capacitor production. The technology utilizes sub-micrometer dielectric layers produced through an innovative manufacturing process. The resulting capacitors are more compact, lighter, more temperature-resistant, and have higher voltage and thermal conductivity ratings compared to conventional polypropylene film capacitors.
The NanoLink project seeks to refine the manufacturing process for large-scale production, focusing on cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and automation without compromising quality and reliability. The project runs from June 2025 to January 2028 and involves partners including AKON GmbH, the Technical University of Chemnitz, and the Laser Institute at Hochschule Mittweida. The initiative aims to strengthen Germany and Europe's position in e-mobility component manufacturing and enable new applications across various industries.
The Hartha factory, part of the Rheinmetall Group for over 30 years, has a history of innovation. The company has previously developed products such as electric water circulation pumps and hydrogen recirculation blowers. Employing approximately 400 people, the facility has received multiple quality awards, including silver and bronze versions of the Ludwig-Erhard Prize.