REG - Gelion PLC - Gelion and Ionblox JDA signed

GelionAnnouncement

21/11/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 1156U  Gelion PLC  21 November 2023

 

21 November 2023

Gelion plc

("Gelion" or the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Gelion and Ionblox Joint Development Agreement Signed

Targeting Next-Generation Silicon Sulfur Cells for Global EV and Electric
Aircraft Markets

 

 

Gelion (AIM: GELN), the Anglo-Australian battery innovator, is pleased to
announce that it has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Ionblox
Incorporated (Ionblox), the California based next-generation battery
technology company transforming the future of mobility by land and air. The
JDA aims to deliver safe, high-energy density, lower cost lithium silicon
sulfur (LiSiS) cells for the global electric vehicle (EV), electrical
vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) and drone markets, before progressing to
the stationary energy storage market.

 

The EV and eVTOL industries are seeking highly competitive next-generation
battery technologies to underpin the transition to net-zero emissions,
illustrated by the International Energy Agency estimating approximately 300
million EVs will be required by 2030, compared with 10 million EVs in 2022.
Battery powered eVOTLs, drones and stationary energy storage will additionally
support the renewables revolution.

 

By combining its technology development with the broad IP and know-how it
acquired from Johnson Matthey earlier in 2023 (the IP Portfolio), and the
recently announced acquisition(1) of OXLiD Ltd, a UK based lithium-sulfur
innovator (the Acquisition), Gelion has accelerated to a leading position in
lithium sulfur development. Gelion is developing sulfur cathodes to integrate
with a variety of anodes including silicon and silicon oxide (SiOx), lithium
metal and graphite.

 

Ionblox is a leading silicon oxide anode developer with multiple performance
attributes - fast charging, high energy, high power, and long life at low
cost. Ionblox's investors include Lilium, Applied Ventures, Temasek and
Catalus Capital.

 

Gelion and Ionblox will jointly aim to develop high performance,
next-generation LiSiS cells, which have the potential to deliver a number of
advantages(2) over traditional lithium-ion batteries:

 

 §   Up to double the gravimetric energy density ~400 Wh/Kg, enabling increased
     range between charges in EVs, therefore reducing "range anxiety";
 §   Lighter weight batteries reducing the cost of manufacture for an EV for key
     components such as suspension, braking and tyres;
 §   Radical improvement of battery safety, due to the intrinsic reduction in
     thermal events achieved by the silicon-sulfur chemistry, dramatically reducing
     risk of fires and/or explosion;
 §   Significant reduction of the LiSiS cell 'bill of material costs' by up to an
     estimated 35% thereby further reducing EV costs to better facilitate mass
     market take-up; and
 §   Reduction of the carbon lifecycle of LiSiS cells by more than 30% as compared
     to incumbent technologies, delivering a more sustainable mass production of
     LiSiS batteries for EVs.

 

(1)Subject to shareholder approval, November 2023

(2)Internal density modelling and independent research papers

JDA Programme

 

Each of Gelion and Ionblox will leverage their technology expertise, patent
portfolio protection and leading R&D facilities located in Australia and
the US respectively to develop the next-generation LiSiS cells.

 

Gelion will focus on the optimisation of the sulfur cathode by incorporating
the Acquisition and leveraging the IP Portfolio.

 

Ionblox will provide its best in class, proven, high-energy density
pre-lithiated Silicon Oxide anode and optimise it appropriately for use with
Gelion's sulfur cathode.

 

Both organisations will jointly develop and optimise a proprietary electrolyte
to enable the cycle life characteristics required for EV and electric aviation
applications. Upon completion of the LiSiS cell development, Gelion and
Ionblox will finalise their commercial arrangement to take the cells to the
global market.

 

 

Commenting on the Announcement, John Wood, Gelion CEO said:

 

"The JDA with Ionblox continues to build momentum for Gelion's sulfur
technologies.

 

"Ionblox is an extraordinary battery technology company, and we are very
excited to be working with Sujeet and his team who are achieving exceptional
energy densities and Coulombic efficiencies with their pre-lithiated SiOx
anode batteries. Combining these energy densities and efficiencies with those
being achieved in our cathode materials by implementing a solid-to-solid
sulfur, quasi-solid-state approach, we anticipate achieving a breakthrough
cell outcome together. Our goal is low cost, high safety, exceptional energy
density, and high cycle life aiming toward electrifying all mobility, while
using materials such as sulfur with the abundance to meet the demand to
support the planets clean energy needs."

 

Sujeet Kumar, Ionblox CEO said:

 

"Ionblox believes in the potential of sulfur to produce higher performance,
cheaper, safer batteries which provide even more value to existing partners,
and unlock new applications.

 

"This program with Gelion will utilize our industry-leading silicon oxide
anode to develop a lithium-silicon-sulfur battery.

 

"We look forward to working with John and his team in Australia and the UK,
and together working towards a global impact."

 

 

About Gelion

 

Gelion ("gel: ion") is a global -energy storage innovator, supporting the
transition to a more sustainable economy by commercialising two globally
important next generation technologies: Lithium-Sulfur (LiS) and Zinc-based
(Zn) hybrid cells to electrify mobile and stationary applications. Gelion plc
(the Group) is listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment
Market and wholly owns Australia based Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd.  Gelion
is designing and delivering innovative battery technology to enable that
transition and return value for its customers and investors.

 

Lithium Sulfur

Gelion's effort is directed at the potential for the LiS chemistry to deliver
double the gravimetric energy density of standard Lithium-ion chemistries
whilst at the same time reducing cost and increasing safety targeting the EV
and e-aviation market, helping to make global transport, energy consumption
and storage more sustainable.

 

Gelion is developing a product for its high energy density sulfur cathode at
its expanded R&D facilities in Sydney, enabling it to integrate with a
variety of anodes ranging from graphite to silicon to lithium metal, depending
on the targeted application.

 

Gelion recently also expanded in the UK(1) by acquiring OXLiD Ltd,
significantly increasing Gelion's capability in cathode improvement thereby
accelerating path to commercial partners and commercialisation.

 

Zinc

Gelion is adapting its zinc technology to comprise an alternate cathode
technology, a zinc hybrid cell to develop complementary next-generation
batteries for the lead-acid eco-system. Early testing indicates that this
solution has the potential to maintain good energy density levels with
enhanced cost and safety aspects. Once fully developed, Gelion intends for our
zinc technology to provide a durable and sustainable market extension within
the ecosystem that supports lead-acid batteries.

 

About IonBlox

Founded in Fremont, California in 2017, Ionblox (previously known as Zenlabs)
is a next-generation energy company transforming the future of mobility by
land and air. The company has more than 40 issued patents, including for the
pre-lithiation of all types of silicon-based anodes. Ionblox's proprietary
pre-lithiated silicon anode and cell design enable multiple performance
attributes - fast charging, high energy, high power, and long life at low cost
- pushing the limits of traditional battery storage technology and unlocking
the viability of widespread electric transportation.

Ionblox is leading the electric mobility revolution by delivering superior
technology and enabling electric vehicle (EV) and electric vertical take-off
and landing vehicle (eVTOL) companies to achieve their goals. Ionblox's
investors include Lilium, Applied Ventures, Temasek and Catalus Capital.

In 2022, Ionblox received a new United States Advanced Battery Consortium
(USABC) contract to develop low-cost and fast-charge silicon-based cells for
EVs. Ionblox has also received a strategic investment from Lilium, a leading
eVTOL company. Ionblox extreme fast charging cell technology will enable
eVTOLs to fly numerous times per day increasing the amount of time the
aircraft spends in the skies.

CONTACTS

 

 Gelion plc                                                        via Alma PR

 John Wood, CEO

 Amit Gupta, CFO

 Thomas Maschmeyer, Founder and Principal Technology Advisor

 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)  +44 207 220 0500
 Corporate Finance

 Neil McDonald

 Seamus Fricker

 Fergus Sullivan

 ECM

 Barney Hayward

 Alma Strategic Communications                                     +44 20 3405 0205

 Justine James                                                     gelion@almastrategic.com

 Hannah Campbell

 Will Ellis Hancock

 

 

 

 

 

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