UK battery technology company Integrals Power is urging immediate action to establish a domestic battery industry free from reliance on Chinese materials, technology and supply chains.
The call follows China’s decision to impose export controls on cathode and anode materials, as well as specialised manufacturing equipment.
The restrictions could hinder electrification across marine, aerospace and defence sectors, where electric power is increasingly vital. With Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries used in nearly half of EVs produced in 2024 – and the vast majority made in China – the need for localised production is clear. Commercialising lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), which offers higher energy density, faster charge/discharge rates, and longer cycle life, is now a strategic priority.
“China’s export controls are a wake-up call for the global battery sector,” said Integrals Power founder and CEO, Behnam Hormozi. “The UK, Europe and North America cannot afford to remain dependent on China for the materials that power EVs, enable grid energy storage, and future defence programmes. We have proven expertise in developing and manufacturing LFP and breakthrough LMFP cathode active materials in our UK pilot plant that deliver a new benchmark in energy density and durability: now we need to rapidly scale-up to mass production.
“Urgent government action is required to accelerate the growth of the UK battery industry – at all levels of the supply chain and the gigafactories – to establish a resilient, sustainable and secure production capacity that is independent of China. This is of vital strategic importance, and the time to act is now.”
