RCS - Solid State PLC - Custom Power & Volklec - UK Defence Collaboration

Solid StateAnnouncement

Mon 07:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20250908:nRSH3026Ya&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 3026Y  Solid State PLC  08 September 2025

Reach - Non-Regulatory Announcement

 

8 September 2025

 

Solid State plc

("Solid State", the "Group" or the "Company")

CUSTOM POWER AND VOLKLEC UNITE TO ELECTRIFY UK DEFENCE

WITH END-TO-END BATTERY SOLUTIONS

 

Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI), the specialist value added component supplier and
design-in manufacturer of computing, power, and communications products,
announces that Custom Power, its customised battery and power systems
division, has joined forces with Volklec, the UK's only independent battery
manufacturer, to deliver a sovereign, end-to-end energy solution for the UK
defence sector.

This strategic partnership creates a fully integrated capability, from cell
development through to battery pack design, manufacture, delivery and support,
tailored to meet the rigorous demands of defence Prime providers. At its core,
Custom Power's bespoke battery management systems and integration solutions
are paired with Volklec's proven 21700 lithium-ion cell technology to ensure
consistent, high-performance energy delivery in the most challenging
operational environments.

Highlights of the collaboration include:

●     Strategic UK Capability: The partnership creates
a sovereign solution for defence providers - from cell development through
to battery pack design, manufacture and through life support.

●     Proven Technology Meets Custom Innovation: Combines Volklec's
field-tested 21700 lithium-ion cells with Custom Power's customised battery
management systems and experience in developing rugged enclosures to meet the
most demanding defence applications.

●     Built for Mission Success: Designed to deliver consistent
performance in the toughest conditions, mission after mission.

●     Collaboration Through MAKE UK Defence: This high-impact alliance
was facilitated via MAKE UK Defence, strengthening sector connectivity and
capability.

●     Supporting Sovereign Supply Chains: Reinforces UK industrial
resilience by advancing domestic energy tech and reducing reliance on foreign
suppliers. Aligning to a key aspect of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.

Volklec's energy cells offer a compelling combination of performance,
reliability, and strategic value for defence applications. With balanced
energy and power density, the cylindrical 21700 format delivers mechanical
robustness and proven thermal management which is ideal for demanding
operational environments.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, they reinforce sovereign supply chain
resilience and align with the Ministry of Defence's priorities for domestic
capability. Custom Power and Volklec's commitment to increasing local content
also supports the UK Government's real, evolving, and multi-faceted movement
within UK defence policy for Net Zero. Engineered for reliability, the energy
cells operate across a wide temperature range, while their low internal
resistance improves thermal control and reduces cooling costs, ensuring
consistent performance regardless of the mission.

The collaboration between Custom Power and Volklec was facilitated through
MAKE UK Defence, a national initiative that strengthens connectivity and
capability across the UK's defence supply chain. By advancing domestic energy
technology and reducing reliance on international suppliers, the partnership
reinforces the UK's industrial resilience and supports the development of
sovereign supply chains.

Commenting on the collaboration, Dave Crossman, Global VP and General Manager
at Custom Power, said:

"Combining Volklec's proven cell technology with our custom-designed battery
systems allows us to meet the exacting standards of defence clients.  This
partnership is a powerful example of UK innovation delivering strategic
advantage."

 

Phil Popham, Executive Director at Volklec, added:

"Built for mission success, this alliance is about more than technology - it's
about trust, resilience, and readiness.

 

"Our cells are engineered for flexibility and can be configured into diverse
pack formats, supporting a wide range of platforms from portable handheld
communications devices to autonomous vehicles and robotics. Together with
Custom Power, we're enabling defence organisations to operate with confidence,
mission after mission."

 

 

Investor Site Visits to Head Office in Redditch

Solid State holds site visits to its head office in Redditch where operations
from both the Systems and Components divisions can be seen.  Interested
investors should contact solidstate@walbrookpr.com
(mailto:solidstate@walbrookpr.com) .

 

For further information please contact:

 

 Solid State plc                                            Via Walbrook

 Gary Marsh - Chief Executive

 Peter James - Group Finance Director
 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited                          020 7220 0500

 (Nominated Adviser & Broker)

 Adrian Hadden / Callum Davidson (Corporate Finance)

 Jasper Berry / Tim Redfern (Sales / ECM)
 Walbrook PR (Financial PR)                                 020 7933 8780

 Tom Cooper / Nick Rome / Joe Walker                        0797 122 1972

                                                            solidstate@walbrookpr.com (mailto:solidstate@walbrookpr.com)

 

Analyst Research Reports: For further analyst information and research see the
Solid State plc website: https://solidstateplc.com/research/
(https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__solidstateplc.com_research_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=05PHl3GHdShYuaCii2fBRpoqaNr9B1d97X09daeosu0&m=JmX-gQVke87P3UDBxQzNglNm9FfzH5yZtIa_SmElSS4&s=ib8r3ul2tCaEvJ39SnR1LT7nCa7gAcRQzgO-kNoyZoM&e=)

 

Notes to Editors:

Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI) is a leading value-added electronics group
supplying industrial and defence markets with durable components, assemblies
and manufactured systems for use in critical applications, with a particular
emphasis on harsh operational environments. Solid State's products are found
around the world, from the ocean floor and into space, ensuring the smooth
operation of systems that augment our everyday lives.

The Company has a core focus on industrial and ruggedised computing, battery
power solutions, antennas, secure radio systems, imaging technologies, and
electronic components & displays.

Operating through two divisions (Systems and Components) the Group thrives on
complex engineering challenges, often requiring design-in support and
component sourcing. Serving a wide range of industries, with a particular
focus on defence, energy production, aerospace, environmental, oceanographic,
industrial, robotics, medical, life sciences, and transportation, the Solid
State trading brands have become synonymous with quality and reliability. The
Group operates under the brands of Steatite, Solsta, Custom Power, Pacer,
Active Silicon, Gateway, Durakool and Q-Par.

Solid State plc is headquartered in Redditch, UK, and employs over 400 people
around the world. The business has seven production facilities in the UK and
two in the USA. In total, including all office locations, the Group operates
from 14 national and international sites.

Solid State was established in 1971 and admitted to AIM in June 1996.  The
Group has grown organically and by acquisition - having made five acquisitions
in the last five years.

Take a look at the videos below for more insight into the Solid State Group.

Introduction to Solid State - https://youtu.be/1M_Q_B1mYic
(https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_1M-5FQ-5FB1mYic&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=05PHl3GHdShYuaCii2fBRpoqaNr9B1d97X09daeosu0&m=3dW1DsO04w3fOD5H-7rw_kFgcxacpqn1XcdwanaeIt0GZ7CA-Ex3GbIRbrY8H0Qp&s=At43cSgB_l2_aLDoWAG1btwtdQsj0fGFEOvZuRER61Y&e=)

Why invest in Solid State? - https://youtu.be/ShmTz6005ws
(https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_ShmTz6005ws&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=05PHl3GHdShYuaCii2fBRpoqaNr9B1d97X09daeosu0&m=3dW1DsO04w3fOD5H-7rw_kFgcxacpqn1XcdwanaeIt0GZ7CA-Ex3GbIRbrY8H0Qp&s=BRSABtV1H6lx3GEpH8ZgxTINGT_PRgrBvEbFa-O11Yg&e=)

About Custom Power:

Custom Power is a specialist manufacturer of custom-built lithium battery
packs, COTS battery modules, portable power and energy storage systems. With
state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and USA, and using a wide range of
chemistry technologies, it provides highly reliable solutions for use in
demanding environments within critical industries such as medical, aerospace,
defence, and robotics.

About Volklec:

Volklec is a new battery manufacturing business based in the UK. It is a
disruptor in battery manufacturing, established to supply the high value
manufacturing sector, in particular specialist applications within defence,
automotive, aerospace, marine and med-tech.

Volklec has a unique and fast to market approach with a low-risk design and
delivery strategy. It is working with a long-established Chinese partner to
bring proven technology to the UK and enable technology and manufacturing
knowledge transfer to mobilise battery manufacturing in the UK.

 

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  NRAFLFFEATIRIIE