Battery technology start-up Addionics and South Korea's mobility and battery solutions provider IL Science have partnered to develop lithium metal rechargeable batteries.
As part of an MOU, IL Science's lithium coating and treatment technologies will be integrated with Addionics' copper current collectors, also known as copper foil. The cooperation aims to enhance battery capabilities and address some of the challenges that have hindered their broader adoption.
Lithium metal batteries have metallic lithium as an anode, while the widely used lithium-ion batteries contain lithiated metal oxides as the cathode material. According to Addionics, lithium metal batteries are better than traditional lithium-ion batteries because they are lightweight and have high energy density as well as fast-charging features.
However, continuous charging and discharging lead to quick degradation. Another issue is the tendency to short circuit.
The pair say the high-stability 3D lithium anode developed as part of the collaboration will support the commercialisation of high-performance, next-generation lithium rechargeable batteries, creating new opportunities for battery manufacturers worldwide.
"This collaboration comes as the demand from battery manufacturers, and the auto industry, for lithium metal batteries is growing, so accelerating the development of 3D current collectors designed for these batteries is critical," comments Moshiel Bitton, CEO and co-founder of Addionics.
The executive believes the partnership will help accelerate Addionics' product-to-market timeline thanks to IL Science's experience in the mobility market, its mass production know-how and well-developed supply chain.
Founded in 2017, Addionics has production facilities in the US and Israel and sites in the UK and Germany. It has partnerships with OEMs and automakers across North America and Europe.
In February, the start-up announced plans to invest $400 million in a three-phase, multi-factory project to produce 3D copper foils to support 90 gigawatt-hour of battery capacity a year. The first plant is expected to begin production in 2027, with additional plants to be completed by 2032.
