British battery innovator Echion Technologies has become the first company to utilise the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre’s (UKBIC) new Flexible Pilot Line (FPL), marking a significant milestone in the UK’s battery manufacturing capabilities.
The Flexible Pilot Line offers a streamlined, cost-effective route from lab-scale innovation to commercial readiness, complementing UKBIC’s larger Industrial Scale-up Line (ISL). It is designed to support companies seeking faster, lower-risk pathways to market.
“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Echion onto the FPL as the line’s first user,” said Sean Gilgunn, managing director at UKBIC. “They’re an exciting company and a perfect example of the sort of business that’ll be able to benefit most from the FPL. We’ve got more customers lined up – and expect the FPL to be very popular – and are looking forward to working closely with Echion as they look to develop their technology further.”
Echion, known for its advanced niobium-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, will provide materials for UKBIC to manufacture anodes based on Echion’s proprietary design. Engineers from both organisations will collaborate to explore how the FPL can accelerate development and reduce commercialisation risks.
Phillip Johns, head of cell development at Echion, added, “UKBIC’s FPL is perfect for our needs in that it’s quick, easy and comparatively inexpensive to produce anode at a scale we require. We’re excited to be the first company on the line and are keen to see what the FPL can do.”
The Flexible Pilot Line joins UKBIC’s broader suite of facilities, including the Battery Development Laboratory, Cell Cycling facility, and Clean and Dry Zone.
