ACC freezes its Kaiserslautern and Termoli gigafactories

2024-06-04 · Publisher : ACC (Automotive Cells Company) · Domain : Industry 4.0 & 5.0

In early June 2024, ACC (Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, TotalEnergies) pauses its cell plants in Germany and Italy as EV sales slow. Both projects are shelved in February 2026.

### Background In early June 2024, **Automotive Cells Company (ACC)**, a joint venture of Stellantis (45%), Mercedes-Benz (30%) and Saft/TotalEnergies (25%), pauses construction of its **Kaiserslautern** (Germany) and **Termoli** (Italy) gigafactories. The **Douvrin** site in northern France keeps ramping up. ### Key facts - Kaiserslautern: three 13.4 GWh blocks, i.e. 40 GWh targeted by 2030; Termoli: 40 GWh planned. - Stated reasons: falling EV demand and the need for cell technologies cheaper than NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt). - ACC's secretary general sums it up: "before we invest billions, we must determine what battery cell technology the market requires". - In September 2024, Italy withdraws around €250M of EU funds earmarked for Termoli. - On 7 February 2026, Italian union UILM announces both projects are definitively shelved; ACC mentions talks on "the modalities for a potential shutdown". ### Why it matters Europe's "Airbus of batteries" was meant to carry EU sovereignty on cells. Its refocus on a single site shows that the European battery value chain depends on actual sales and competitiveness against Asian LFP chemistries far more than on announced plans. ### Takeaway From the 2024 pause to the 2026 cancellation: of three planned plants, ACC keeps one, in France.

Tags : Batteries, Usine, Europe, Automobile, France