Cambridge, UK-based anode material developer Echion Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Energy Tech Solution (ETS) to manufacture demonstration and customised cells using its XNO niobium-based technology.
Under the agreement, ETS will become a contract manufacturing partner for Echion, producing demonstration cells and supporting product design and development. It will allocate part of its capacity in Chungju, South Korea, to manufacture XNO cells in cylindrical, pouch and prismatic formats.
Seoul-headquartered ETS designs production lines and supplies cell assembly equipment, as well as providing cell design, manufacturing and product development services. The company also operates facilities in Chungju and Detroit, US.
Echion said the collaboration would give cell manufacturers a route to develop and produce their own XNO batteries without first establishing dedicated production capabilities. ETS is the first “total battery solution provider” to join Echion’s partner network.
ETS CEO Y.H. Kim said: “Echion has demonstrated incredible performance capabilities in our custom-designed cells. As battery technology saturates every aspect of the global energy system, this long-lasting and high-performance chemistry will find its place serving the most demanding users.”
XNO positioned as an alternative to lithium titanium oxide
XNO is Echion’s proprietary niobium-based lithium-ion anode material. The company positions it as an alternative to lithium titanate oxide (LTO) for applications requiring high power, rapid charging and long cycle life, including mining, rail, maritime, industrial energy storage and data-centre backup power.
The partners are targeting charge rates of up to 10C and cycle lives of up to 50,000 cycles. These remain development targets rather than independently verified specifications for a commercial ETS cell.
Echion CEO Jean de La Verpilliere said: “Energy Tech Solution offers a comprehensive range of battery solution services and manufacturing expertise, and has shown itself to be adept at bridging process engineering and scientific R&D.
“We’re confident that XNO batteries manufactured by the experts at ETS, on their well-trusted equipment, will give those customers seeking to produce their own XNO batteries the charging speed and cycle life they need to run their businesses.”
