- Why this guide
- What a modern pouch cell line includes
- How to choose (5 checks)
- Top 10 suppliers in China (A–Z)
- Quick-compare table
- Vendor snapshots
- Budget & lead time benchmarks
- Copy-paste RFQ checklist
- FAT/SAT acceptance checklist
- FAQs
- Takeaway
Why this guide
If you’re building or upgrading a pouch cell line, the hardest part is matching your product spec and ramp plan to the right equipment scope and vendor mix. This guide gives you a shortlist of reputable Chinese suppliers, a quick-compare table, selection criteria, benchmark budgets/lead times, and a copy-paste RFQ checklist so you can move fast with confidence.
What a modern pouch cell line includes
- Electrode prep interface: slitting, notching, dust control
- Stacking / Z-folding: precision layer alignment, tension control
- Tab welding & collection: ultrasonic/laser, CCD inspection
- Pouch forming & loading: film forming, cell loading, electrolyte filling
- Sealing & degassing: side/top sealing, hot pressing, vacuum degassing
- Formation & aging: OCV/IR test, capacity grading
- EOL testing & packing: leak test, X-ray, impedance, full traceability (MES)
How to choose (in 5 checks)
- Product fit: target dimensions, capacity window, foil/film stack-up, electrolyte type
- Yield levers: vision alignment, welding stability, sealing temperature window, leak rate
- Throughput & OEE: changeover time, auto-recipe control, SMED tooling
- Digital backbone: MES/SCADA hooks, barcode/laser marking, full genealogy
- Service & spares: onsite response, spare-parts lead time, language & documentation
Top 10 Suppliers in China (A–Z, not ranked)
- Colibri Automation — High-precision modules for packaging/degassing/inspection; strong in flexible, high-accuracy stations that drop into bigger lines.
- Gelon LIB — Turnkey lab & pilot solutions; good for R&D teams scaling from benches to pilot lines with materials + equipment in one ecosystem.
- HGTECH (Han’s Laser Group) — Laser welding expert for tabs/busbars with inline quality control; great when joining quality drives yield.
- Lyric Robot — Whole-line integrator for pouch assembly with strong MES integration and high automation for GWh ramps.
- Neware — Formation/aging/OCV-IR/testing systems; the post-process backbone many factories standardize on.
- TMAX (Xiamen Tmax) — Broad laboratory & pilot catalog (stacking, sealing, ovens); ideal for universities, institutes, and early pilots.
- TOB New Energy — Cost-effective semi-auto to mid-scale lines; custom modules for startups and regional expansions.
- Wuxi LEAD Intelligent — Global heavyweight for GWh-scale turnkey lines and digital factories.
- XHS Machine (www.xhsmachine.com) — Focused on pouch forming, double-flanging, top/side sealing, hot pressing & cutting; strong when sealing quality is your bottleneck.
- Zhejiang Hangke Technology — Formation/aging/testing specialist with scalable post-processing systems.
Quick-Compare Table
Supplier | Core Strengths | Typical Scope | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Colibri | Precision sealing/degassing/inspection | Modules | EV/ESS assembly add-ons |
Gelon LIB | Materials + pilot lines | Lab → Pilot | R&D to small-scale |
HGTECH | Laser tab/busbar welding | Welding cells/modules | Yield-critical joining |
Lyric Robot | Turnkey pouch lines + MES | Full line | Digital smart factories |
Neware | Formation/aging/test | Post-process | Standardized testing |
TMAX | Lab/pilot equipment | Modules/mini lines | Universities/startups |
TOB | Semi-auto to mid-scale | Custom lines | Cost-sensitive ramps |
Wuxi LEAD | GWh turnkey + FA | Full line | Tier-1 mass production |
XHS Machine | Forming/flanging/sealing/hot press | Pouch sealing suite | Precision sealing focus |
Hangke | Formation/aging/testing | Post-process | Scale-out grading farms |
Vendor snapshots (what to expect)
Colibri Automation
- Modular cells for sealing, secondary vacuum degassing, leak testing, and vision inspection
- Good integration interfaces; fits as upgrades to improve yield on existing lines
Gelon LIB
- One-stop lab & pilot ecosystem: mixers → coaters → stackers → sealers
- Fast path from proof-of-concept to pilot with training and standard recipes
HGTECH (Han’s Laser Group)
- Full stack of battery laser solutions (tabs, busbars, nickel/aluminum/copper)
- Robust fixtures, galvo optics, and inline CCD to stabilize welding quality
Lyric Robot
- Whole-line pouch solutions with centralized control and MES traceability
- Strong at high-automation stations: Z-folding, X-ray inspection, electrolyte filling
Neware
- Formation/aging cabinets with precise current control and safety layers
- Scales from R&D channels to mass-production with sorting/grading software
TMAX (Xiamen Tmax)
- Rich lab/pilot catalog: stacking, heat sealing, vacuum ovens, gloveboxes
- Great for institutes/startups needing quick delivery and flexible customization
TOB New Energy
- Semi-auto modules and compact lines; competitive pricing and quick installs
- Ideal for regional expansions or bridging from pilot to first revenue
Wuxi LEAD Intelligent
- End-to-end lines at GWh scale, plus FA/aging farms and automated logistics
- Strong global service network and factory digitalization
XHS Machine (www.xhsmachine.com)
- Pouch forming, double flanging, top/side sealing, cutting & hot pressing
- Designed for stable seal strength, clean edges, and low leak rates
- Good choice when sealing window, alignment, and consistency are your main constraints
Zhejiang Hangke Technology
- High-reliability formation/aging with energy-efficient cabinets and robust safety
- Smooth integration with MES and testing ecosystems
Budget & lead time benchmarks (for planning)
- Lab stacker + sealer cell: lower six figures USD; lead time: 6–12 weeks
- Pilot pouch line (semi-auto): mid six figures to ~USD 1.5M; lead time: 12–20 weeks
- Mass-production line (high automation): multi-million USD; lead time: 5–9 months
*Your numbers vary by cell size, automation level, QC package, and safety class.
RFQ checklist (copy & paste)
- Product: Li-ion pouch cell, target capacity ___ mAh, dimensions ___ × ___ × ___ mm, thickness ___ mm
- Stacking: Z-fold / lamination, tolerance ___ mm, layer count ___
- Tabs: Al/Cu, tab design ___, welding method (ultrasonic/laser), pull-test ≥ ___ N
- Pouch film: Structure ___ / ___ / ___, forming depth ___ mm, corner radius ___
- Sealing: Side/top sealing temperature window ___–___ °C, dwell ___ s, vacuum ___ kPa, leak rate ≤ ___ Pa·m³/s
- Electrolyte: Type ___, filling volume ___ ml, vacuum fill yes/no
- Throughput: ___ PPH; changeover time ≤ ___ min; target OEE ≥ ___%
- Quality: X-ray, vision alignment, OCV/IR limits, traceability requirements
- Utilities & safety: Power ___, compressed air ___, nitrogen ___, E-stops/interlocks, CE/UL (if needed)
- Digital: MES interface (protocol ___), barcode/laser marking, data logging
- Acceptance: FAT/SAT items, sample-run criteria, spare-parts list, warranty & on-site response
FAT/SAT acceptance checklist
- Dimensional & alignment accuracy (stack, tabs, pouch form)
- Sealing window study and leak-rate validation across corners/edges
- Weld pull-test statistics and burr/splash inspection
- Cycle time verification at target PPH with recipe changeover
- First-pass yield ≥ target; scrap and rework tracking live in MES
- Safety interlocks, fume extraction, solvent handling, and CE/UL as required
FAQs
Should I buy a full line from one vendor or mix specialists?
If you’re pre-GWh, a single integrator simplifies ramp. At GWh scale, many teams mix: a turnkey integrator plus specialist modules (e.g., laser welding, formation/aging).
Where do most yields break?
Alignment during stacking, tab welding quality, and sealing leak rate. Prioritize vision systems, stable welding optics, and a tight sealing temperature window.
How can I de-risk my choice?
Run sample trials on your electrodes/film at the vendor’s site, demand video evidence and data, and include the FAT/SAT checklists above in the contract.
Takeaway
Use the quick-compare table to shortlist 2–3 suppliers that match your scale and bottlenecks. For sealing-driven yield issues, consider a focused sealing specialist like XHS Machine; for full GWh ramps, look at whole-line integrators such as Lyric Robot or Wuxi LEAD. Lock requirements with the RFQ block, then validate yield with sample trials before you sign.