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☆ UK battery startup Nexeon to supply Panasonic with advanced material
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Paul Lienert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 24 (Reuters) - UK battery startup Nexeon will supply high-energy silicon anode material to Panasonic’s (6752.T) newest U.S. plant starting in 2025, the companies said on Monday. The use of silicon-rich anodes will enable Panasonic battery cells to store more energy and charge more quickly, the companies said. The greater energy density also gives Panasonic the option of making smaller, lighter packs with similar range to current battery cells. Abingdon-based Nexeon will supply the material to Panasonic Energy Co’s $4 billion De Soto, Kansas plant, which is slated to open in early 2025. Founded in 2006, Nexeon has raised more than $260 million and was most recently valued at $350 million, according to investor website PitchBook.com.

Persons: Sila Nanotechnologies, Nexeon, Group14, Sila, Mercedes, Paul Lienert, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Panasonic, Panasonic Energy, De, Korea’s SK Group, Porsche, SK, BASF, Mercedes, Benz, Siemens, Samsung, Thomson Locations: U.S, Abingdon, De Soto , Kansas, Woodinville , Washington, Alameda , California, Detroit

Both companies say they would have moved ahead even without direct federal funding. Rick Luebbe, the chief executive of Group14, said the company was able to raise additional capital on the back of the federal money, allowing it to build two production lines in Moses Lake rather than one. In 2005, for example, the government introduced tax credits for the installation of solar panels, without restrictions on the country of origin. Over the next six years, imports of Chinese solar panels increased to $2.7 billion a year, up from $21 million a year. China controls three-quarters of the world’s supply of graphite, but “our technology requires sand and energy,” said Gene Berdichevsky, the chief executive of Sila.

Persons: Rick Luebbe, Moses Lake, ”, Moses, It’s, Biden, Gene Berdichevsky, Sila Locations: Moses Lake, Georgia , Louisiana, Tennessee, United States, China

☆ Why Porsche, Mercedes and GM are betting on silicon-anode batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Andrew Evers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Batteries made with silicon instead of graphite — the commonly used material in battery anodes today — have been shown to enable significantly higher energy density and faster charging. Amprius is already working with Airbus , the U.S. Army, AeroVironment and BAE Systems on early iterations of its silicon-anode batteries. Sila Nanotechnologies, which was started by a group of ex-Tesla battery engineers, is also working on silicon-anode technology. Porsche also plans to use silicon-anode technology in its vehicles, and has invested in Washington state-based Group14 Technologies. Watch the video to learn more about silicon-anode batteries and why the auto industry is betting on them.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow silicon could enable cheaper EVs, electric flight and more powerful batteriesLithium-ion battery performance has reached a plateau in recent years, but a breakthrough in battery technology is about to change that. Using silicon instead of graphite, the commonly used material in battery anodes today, enables significantly higher energy density and faster charging. The new tech has attracted the attention of big players such as GM, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Airbus. CNBC spoke with Sila, Amprius and Group14 to learn how the new batteries will transform EVs and more.

☆ New silicon anodes could help EV batteries go farther, charge faster
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Paul Lienert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Two startup companies, Group14 Technologies and Sila Nanotechnologies, are focused on new applications for silicon, an abundant element that is being developed as a supplement or replacement for graphite in battery anodes. Seven-year-old Group14 said on Tuesday that it has begun constructing a commercial-grade facility in Moses Lake for its SCC55 silicon-carbon powder. Group14’s joint-venture plant in Korea with battery maker SK is scheduled to open this year, according to Rick Luebbe, CEO and co-founder. Sila has raised more than $900 million, with Mercedes, ATL and Siemens (SIEGn.DE) among its corporate investors. Strong demand for silicon-rich anodes means “we’re under pressure to go faster and bigger,” Luebbe said.

☆ Microsoft Invests in Silicon-Battery Material Upstart
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Amrith Ramkumar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Group14 says its silicon anode material is more efficient than existing graphite technology. Microsoft Corp.’s $1 billion climate innovation fund is betting on a battery startup valued at more than $3 billion that is trying to dramatically improve power and charging time of electric vehicles. Group14 Technologies is getting $214 million from investors—just a slice of billions in private and government cash going to make better batteries, which are essential for EVs and renewable energy, company officials said. Other investors include Oman’s sovereign-wealth fund and a climate fund backed by private-equity firm Lightrock. Microsoft declined to disclose the size of its investment.

☆ Here's the 28-page pitch deck that landed battery startup OneD a $25 million Series C to help power GM's $35 billion pivot to electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

OneD is a battery startup racing to improve EVs' battery range, cost, and charging speed. Check out the 28-page pitch deck it used to raise a $25 million Series C round. Founded in 2013, OneD Battery Sciences is laser-focused on that. OneD also plans to license this tech to automakers and their battery manufacturers and has a small-scale pilot line going. Pluvinage shared the pitch deck OneD used to pitch its vision.

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