Ilika plc (AIM: IKA), the UK pioneer in solid state battery technology, has announced the signing of a framework agreement with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in support of its scale-up of the Goliath solid state pouch cells.
Solid state battery technology has the potential to transform the performance and safety of consumer devices and electric vehicles over the next ten years addressing issues such a range, charge time and fire safety.
Ilika, one of Europe’s foremost developers in this sector, has received matched funding via Innovate UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge fund to allow them to work in collaboration with UK based automotive OEMs.
The initial UK funding created a new lab scale facility for Ilika in Romsey, Hampshire which is soon to be expanded to 10kWh/week capacity. However, elements of the development are best exercised on equipment at far larger scale.
UKBIC is a pioneering, publicly funded battery production development facility, which can be accessed by any organisation with existing or new battery technology – if that technology will bring green jobs and prosperity to the UK. The facility covers the whole production process from electrodes to cell, module and pack assembly.
“It is important at this stage of the Goliath pouch cell programme that we iterate more rapidly and with access to some elements of full scale line equipment. This will shorten our pathway to industrialisation” added Graeme Purdy, Ilika CEO.
“It is important that the UK develops its own intellectual property surrounding solid state technology and we are delighted to be able to support the Ilika pouch cell development programme” said Jeff Pratt, Managing Director UKBIC.
About Ilika
Ilika plc (AIM: IKA) is a pioneer in solid state battery technology with their innovative Stereax micro batteries designed for Industrial IoT and MedTech markets, and their Goliath large format batteries for the electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets. Stereax battery technology offers compelling advantages over conventional lithium ion batteries, including smaller footprint, high energy density, non-toxic materials, faster charging, increased cycle life, low leakage and reduced flammability. Stereax solid state batteries are also customisable in shape and form, stackable and operational at high temperatures.
About UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC)
The £130 million UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) is a pioneering concept in the race to develop battery technology for the transition to a greener future. The unique facility provides the missing link between battery technology, which has proved promising at laboratory or prototype scale, and successful mass production. Based in Coventry, the publicly-funded battery product development facility welcomes manufacturers, entrepreneurs, researchers and educators, and can be accessed by any organisation with existing or new battery technology – if that technology will bring green jobs and prosperity to the UK.
UKBIC is a key part of the Faraday Battery Challenge, a Government programme to fast track the development of cost-effective, high-performance, durable, safe, low-weight and recyclable batteries.
In addition to funding from the Faraday Battery Challenge through UK Research and Innovation and the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, UKBIC is also part-funded through the West Midlands Combined Authority. The project has been delivered through a consortium of Coventry City Council, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and WMG, at the University of Warwick. UKBIC was created in 2018 following a competition led by the Advanced Propulsion Centre with support from Innovate UK.
See List of worldwide manufacturers of rechargeable battery cells