UK-based anode materials company Echion Technologies has announced the commercial launch of a new range of high-power lithium-ion battery products based on its XNO technology, developed in partnership with Gus Technology.
The products were unveiled at Battery Japan and are being manufactured at Gus’s Zhongli facility in Taiwan, marking a step towards wider commercialisation of niobium-based anode materials in industrial battery applications.
The new battery range is designed for high-demand applications requiring rapid charging, long cycle life and enhanced safety. According to the companies, the cells can achieve 80% charge in around five minutes and operate at temperatures as low as –30°C.
Cycle life is also a key focus. Testing at high charge and discharge rates showed around 2% capacity loss after 10,000 cycles, with an estimated lifetime exceeding 50,000 cycles under certain operating conditions.
High-power battery applications
The XNO-based products are aimed at applications such as mass transportation, construction and mining equipment, robotics and grid-connected uninterruptible power supply systems, where rapid turnaround and durability are critical.
Compared with lithium titanate (LTO), a chemistry commonly used in high-power batteries, XNO is reported to offer more than 50% higher energy density while maintaining fast-charging capability and safety performance.
Gus is commercialising multiple formats based on the technology, including 43Ah and 60Ah cells, VDA355 modules for system integration and smaller-format cells capable of delivering high peak power.
The company said the products have already entered customer trials in on-highway applications, with broader opportunities being explored across industrial sectors.
Manufacturing scale-up and supply chain
Gus’s Zhongli facility has an annual production capacity of around 1GWh and supplies battery systems to customers across North America, Europe and Asia.
On the materials side, Echion’s XNO anode is produced in partnership with CBMM, with a dedicated manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 2,000 tonnes per year—equivalent to around 1GWh of lithium-ion cells.
The companies said the launch reflects growing interest in alternative anode materials that can deliver high power performance without the limitations typically associated with conventional lithium-ion chemistries.
Niobium-based anodes are being explored as an alternative to graphite and lithium titanate in applications where fast charging, safety and long cycle life are prioritised over maximum energy density.
“XNO technology was developed to deliver fast-charging and high-power performance without the energy density and lifetime limitations seen in traditional high-power lithium-ion chemistries,” said Dr Jean de La Verpilliere, CEO at Echion Technologies. “We have been impressed with GUS’ capabilities and are excited to see XNO incorporated into their product offering.”
Photo: Richard Hsu, chief strategy officer, displays the XNO battery cell at Battery Japan in Tokyo. (© Gus Technology)
