Echion Technologies announces joint project with Johnson Matthey to accelerate the commercialisation of fast-charging battery materials for automotive applications
Echion Technologies, Cambridge, UK (“Echion”) is pleased to announce a joint project which brings together Echion and Johnson Matthey (“JM”) to accelerate the commercialisation of next-generation, fast-charging battery materials developed by each company, for automotive applications. The project is co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Echion and JM are partnering to assess the business case for joint commercialisation of fast-charge battery technology for automotive applications. This will include understanding detailed market requirements, matching these with actual and modelled product performance and building a strategic roadmap to accelerate market entry.
As part of the project, Echion and JM are developing a high-performance cell design with Echion’s fast-charging Mixed Niobium Oxide (MNO) anode technology and JM’s eLNO® cathode materials. This novel design will be modelled to different configurations, and closely mapped to mass market requirements.
Jean De La Verpilliere, CEO said: “It’s great to work with Johnson Matthey to jointly seek commercial opportunities for our unique yet highly complementary technologies. I’m very happy with the working relationship established between Echion and JM teams, and look forward to engaging the market with our demonstrators.”
This technology has the potential to enable more efficient and cost-effective hybrid vehicles benefiting from improved regenerative braking, and full electric vehicles with decreased battery size and cost which benefit from the convenience of fast-charging.
About Echion Technologies
Spun-out from The University of Cambridge, Echion is a leading developer of next generation materials for Lithium Ion batteries and its products enable cost-effective, fast charging, high energy density batteries for Electric Vehicle, Energy Storage Systems and premium Consumer Electronics battery power markets.
Echion provides materials and battery cell manufacturers with packages of protected intellectual property, customisation options, materials synthesis and cell integration know-how for different end-user markets.
About Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey (JM) is a global leader in science that enables a cleaner and healthier world. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function and safety of our customers’ products.
Through continued investment in research and development, we are tackling the world’s big challenges, including through our pioneering work in battery material technologies. Here we are commercialising eLNO®, our family of nickel rich advanced cathode materials, which we expect to be ready to power the next generation of plug in hybrid and battery electric vehicles in 2024. Our first manufacturing plant, currently under construction in Poland and due to come online in 2022, will initially supply 10,000 MT per year of eLNO®, equivalent to ~100,000 electric vehicles, with a phased investment plan over the coming years.
Across JM, our science has a global impact in areas such as enabling the energy transition, low emission transport, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing and making the most efficient use of the planet’s natural resources. Today, more than 15,000 JM professionals collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a real difference to the world around us. For more information, visit www.matthey.com
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas.
Innovate UK connects businesses to the partners, customers and investors that can help them turn ideas into commercially successful products, services and business growth. Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation.