REG - Gelion PLC - Strategic progress on Johnson Matthey IP acq

GelionAnnouncement

25/05/2023 07:30

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RNS Number : 6378A  Gelion PLC  25 May 2023

 

25 May 2023

Gelion plc

("Gelion" or the "Company")

 

Strategic progress update on the Johnson Matthey IP acquisition

for the LiS/LiSiS technologies

 

IP acquisition positions Gelion as a significant player in the lithium-sulfur
market,

providing a strong foundation for becoming a global leader in this sector

 

Gelion (AIM: GELN), the Anglo-Australian battery innovator, is pleased to
provide an update on the strategic evaluation of the Lithium Sulfur ("LiS")
and Silicon Anode ("Si") patent portfolios (the "IP") acquired from Johnson
Matthey in March 2023.

 

Through the combination of the newly acquired LiS IP and Gelion's own IP,
Gelion has the potential to significantly advance its efforts to revolutionise
the energy storage industry by developing sustainable, high-performance LiS
batteries with superior energy density (e.g. potential to double EV ranges),
high safety and great cost-effectiveness, providing a compelling alternative
to current lithium-based battery technologies.

 

Key highlights post-acquisition

 

·    Gelion has evaluated the 450 patents across 82 patent families
acquired and concluded it is in the Group's best interest to retain the
majority of the IP portfolios, strengthening Gelion's future development in
the LiS battery market and potentially offering additional commercialisation
opportunities, in the areas of lithium battery recycling and salt-based
electrode technologies.

·    Signed agreement to sell the subset of patents relating to Silicon
Anode IP (73 patents across 17 patent families), which are non-core to the
Company's particular activities, to Sicona Technologies Pty Ltd ("Sicona"), a
silicon anode technology developer in Australia for US$1.5 million (£1.20
million). Gelion will retain the exclusive license (royalty-free) to the
Silicon Anode IP, when used in combination with lithium silicon sulfur (LiSiS)
or other LiS battery chemistries.

·    Acquisition is assisting in the acceleration of internal R&D and
is expected to significantly enhance the Company's future partnership
prospects.

 

Commenting on the update, John Wood, CEO said: "It is promising to see that
the acquisition of this highly valuable IP portfolio from Johnson Matthey is
already bearing fruit in just a few months, providing us with the opportunity
to accelerate the development and consequently commercialisation of our own
Sulfur cathode platform technology at a faster rate. It is an exciting step
forward within the Lithium-based energy storage industry and provides a
foundation for Gelion to become a global leader within the sector."

 

Background on the IP portfolio

 

The IP portfolio acquired includes over 450 patents across 82 patent families
and includes development programs, technology transfer packages, market and
portfolio analyses, manufacturing design and cost models for sulfur-based
energy storage technologies.

 

The overall portfolio also includes IP relating to applications of solid-state
electrolytes, liquid electrolytes, next-generation cathode materials,
processing and manufacture of lithium metal anodes, protective lithium anode
coatings, battery management systems, and battery recycling. Gelion is
assessing how to best utilise these IP elements to progress its strategic and
commercial goals, develop strong relationships and form important partnerships
that will assist in the rapid development and commercialisation of our
lithium-sulfur battery technology.

 

The IP portfolio is extensive and covers many key areas that, individually and
as a group, not only help to provide strong protection against relevant
manufacture by competitors in key markets in Asia, North America and Europe,
but also provide protection against commercialisation activities in these
markets, placing Gelion in a strong competitive IP position with respect to
other lithium-sulfur developers.

 

Gelion's unique approach is focused on the development of advanced Sulfur
cathode platform solutions that can be paired with a variety of Lithium anode
technologies (i.e. silicon, graphite, lithium metal). As these latest
generations of Lithium anode technologies become more developed, tested and
commercially available, Gelion's technology will be well placed to provide
exciting Sulfur cathode pairing solutions.

 

This approach maximises Gelion's capability to provide the dovetailed
solutions required to partner with eventually the most dominating next
generations of lithium anode technologies.

 

The agreement to sell the subset of patents to Sicona  is expected to be
completed (with no condition's precedent) and funds transferred by June 2023.

 

 

CONTACTS

 

 Gelion plc                                                    via Alma PR

 John Wood, CEO

 Amit Gupta, CFO

 Thomas Maschmeyer, Founder and Principal Technology Advisor

 finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser and Sole Broker)               +44 207 220 0500
 Corporate Finance

 Christopher Raggett

 Seamus Fricker

 Fergus Sullivan

 ECM

 Barney Hayward

 Alma PR (Financial PR Adviser)                                +44 20 3405 0205

 Justine James                                                 gelion@almapr.co.uk

 Hannah Campbell

 Will Ellis Hancock

 

About Gelion plc

 

Gelion ("gel: ion") is a global renewable-energy storage innovator who
supports the transition to a sustainable economy while delivering value for
its customers and investors by designing and manufacturing the outstanding
zinc-bromide batteries for stationary energy storage and additives for mobile
battery applications.

 

Performance Additives - Tomorrow's transport systems will rely on mobile
renewable energy.  Gelion is developing performance additives and cathode
solution based on nanotechnology with the aim of improving the safety,
longevity and energy density of lithium-based batteries for mobile
applications. Gelion's IP will help power the EV and e-aviation markets.

 

Stationary storage - Gelion Zinc Bromide battery: the sustainable energy
storage solution.

Gelion has developed patented technology for a breakthrough zinc-bromide
battery to support the transition to a carbon neutral economy by 2050. The
technology is being developed with the goal of establishing Gelion Zinc
Bromide as a logical participant in the ecosystem of suppliers, manufacturers
and customers surrounding lead acid technology.

 

Gelion's zinc-bromide gel battery uses non-flow technology, which is scalable,
can deliver 100% depth of discharge and has potential for higher temperature
tolerance and much faster discharge rates, while utilizing all nameplate
capacity, representing significant advantages over lead-acid battery
technology.

 

Gelion was spun-out from the University of Sydney in 2015 by Professor Thomas
Maschmeyer, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and recipient of the
Australian Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation 2020, that country's highest
honour for scientific entrepreneurship.

 

The Company's ESG credentials are strongly aligned to six of the UN's 17
Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Gelion's shares are listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and
it received the Green Economy Mark at IPO in November 2021, recognising its
commitment to energy transition.

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