Britishvolt

A consortium of seven UK-based organisations has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop prototype solid-state batteries for automotive applications. 

The collaboration will combine industry and academia to produce cells using scalable manufacturing techniques that “leapfrog the cost-effectiveness and performance achieved elsewhere”. 

The consortium comprises of: Johnson Matthey, Faraday Institution, Britishvolt, Oxford University, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, Emerson & Renwick and the University of Warwick (WMG).

The preliminary design for a prototyping facility has been developed. However, funding is still to be put in place. 

It’s hoped the facility will enable solid-state battery technology to be developed in UK university laboratories, and improve the manufacturing and testing of prototype batteries.

David Greenwood (pictured), professor of Advanced Propulsion Systems, and CEO of WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult, said: “Early forms of solid-state battery are already around us, but we have yet to see solutions which are both mass-manufacturable and meet the performance and cost targets for future transport applications. 

“There remains huge opportunity for innovation in this space, and this initiative will provide the route for the UK to fast-track candidate technologies to industrialisation.”

Christian Gunther, CEO, Battery Materials at Johnson Matthey, said: “The realisation of a prototype solid-state battery cell will be a great achievement for the UK battery industry, and this consortium will be a critical enabler for delivering this milestone. 

“Delivering enhanced range and safety over traditional lithium-ion battery technologies will be a key driver for battery electric vehicle adoption.” 

Solid-state batteries offer potential advantages over existing lithium-ion battery technologies, including the ability to hold more charge for a given volume and reduce costs of safety-management. 

The Faraday Institution forecasts that, in 2030, solid-state batteries could take a 7% share of the global consumer electronics battery market and a 4% share of the EV battery market.

However, there are fundamental scientific challenges that need to be addressed before they are fully commercialised, with the Faraday Institution’s SOLBAT project making progress to address these challenges over the last three years. 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand a UK battery separator manufacturing supply chain has been signed between UK lithium-ion gigafactory developer Britishvolt and battery separator firm Entek.

Firming their ongoing collaboration, the MoU sets out a roadmap to use Entek’s separators in Britishvolt’s batteries with the goal of creating a scalable production of lithium battery separators in the UK.

The MoU also sets out potential investment in facilities at Entek’s battery separator plant in Newcastle-upon-tyne and a co-located facility within Britishvolt’s Blyth campus in the UK.

The deal is the foundation for a long-term separator supply agreement that will allow Entek to invest in the UK’s first lithium battery separator plant.  

Larry Keith, Entek CEO said: “We are delighted to have been selected as Britishvolt’s preferred lithium-ion battery separator partner and eager to align our objectives and investments with their transformational plans to build a 30+ gigawatt hour factory in the UK”.

Britishvolt is delighted to be entering into this non-binding aagreement with ENTEK to supply lithium-ion battery separators.

Colocation at Britishvolt’s site aims to reduce the length of the supply chain and the carbon footprint of battery production.

Entek has a long history of investing in its UK operations and is a natural partner for Britishvolt as it establishes itself as the premier Lithium battery manufacturer in the UK.  Together, ENTEK and Britishvolt are committed to the future of electrification of vehicles with products made domestically.

Earlier this year, Battery separator firm Entek signed a deal to acquire the majority stake in Nippon Sheet Glass’ (NSG) lead-acid battery separator business.

You can read more about Entek in the forthcoming BEST magazine, published in mid-July. Subscribe here to make sure you receive your copy.

The UK’s first lithium-ion gigafactory has moved a step closer to reality with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between manufacturer Britishvolt and the Welsh government.

It is the first time a location has been officially announced for the firm’s planned 30GWh gigafactory, which will produce lithium-ion cylindrical and pouch cells primarily to the electric vehicle market.

UK battery maker Amte Power and Britishvolt announce plans on 20 May to build the UK’s first lithium-ion battery cell gigafactories servicing the automotive and energy storage markets.

The British start-ups have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focussed on enabling the scalable production of lithium-ion batteries to support the UK’s Road to Zero (at least half 50% of new car sales to be ultra low emission by 2030) targets and transition to electrification. 

Britishvolt aims to add to Amte’s 1GWh manufacturing plant plants with a 30GWh factory.