Next-gen Cells (Solid-state / Silicon-anode)

Factorial Energy shares jumped 14.4% in Thursday's trading after the company said it will partner with Japan's Mitsui Kinzoku to accelerate the global scale-up of its Solstice all-solid-state battery platform. Mitsui Kinzoku produces sulfide-based solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries and is one of few companies worldwide with foundational technology in this space, Factorial said. The Japanese company also produces ultra-thin copper foil and holds an estimated 90% share of the semiconductor market for that foil. Mitsui Kinzoku Senior Executive Officer Kiyotaka Yasuda said the two companies aim to accelerate the realization of next-generation batteries by combining Mitsui Kinzoku's long-established expertise in materials and manufacturing technologies with Factorial's advanced technological capabilities. Factorial Energy shares began trading on Nasdaq in June following the completion of its business combination with Cartesian Growth Corporation III.

General Motors is developing a domestic battery supply chain it expects to complete within two to three years, even as it currently relies on some Chinese-sourced materials for existing battery production. Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president of battery and sustainability, told CNBC the company's near-term goal is full domestic sourcing, centered on sodium-ion battery cells GM is developing with Denver-based startup Peak Energy for stationary energy storage in homes, businesses, and data centers. GM expects commercial production of those cells around 2029, and a GM spokesperson confirmed the same domestic sourcing priority would apply to battery cells for future electric vehicles. Sodium-ion cells are built around sodium from soda ash, which the U.S. holds in abundance, sidestepping the lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains China currently controls, and Kelty said they handle a broader span of temperatures, removing the need for active thermal management. GM has committed $900 million to new battery research facilities at its suburban Detroit campus, including a cell prototyping building exceeding 500,000 square feet scheduled to open before the end of the year. The comments came as Ford faced criticism from the Trump administration over its battery sourcing, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying last week he had "profound concern" over Ford's licensing of technology from Chinese battery manufacturer CATL for its Marshall, Michigan plant, while Ford CEO Jim Farley called the charges "basic misunderstandings, mistruths" and the White House posted that Ford is "a GREAT American company."

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd's graphene aluminium-ion battery cells completed 489 charge cycles with six-minute charging and discharging and no measurable loss of performance, managing director and CEO Craig Nicol told Proactive. Nicol said the company worked five years for this technology to get here, calling the result a significant milestone, with GMG having developed its own cathode and focused the technology on very fast charging. GMG is now optimising the cells ahead of the next phase, with a reduced electrolyte expected to help move the company towards its target of around 50 Wh/kg at a 10C charge rate, alongside testing different charging algorithms, with the goal of sending samples to customers shortly. Nicol also discussed expanding commercial activities across Asia Pacific, including India, Korea, Japan, Singapore and Australia, highlighting particularly strong demand in India while conversations progress across all markets. The interview also covered the start-up of Gen 2.0 graphene production, which has enabled GMG to begin planning a factory of factories model of 20-tonne graphene production facilities built and commissioned in Brisbane before potentially relocating closer to customers, with Canada and the US identified as possible locations.

LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University have secured a key technology to improve the stability of next-generation lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries, paving the way for their use in large-format electric vehicle cells. The joint research team, led by Professor Jongwoo Lim, identified factors causing gas evolution and capacity degradation, and developed optimal operating conditions that suppress gas generation. By lowering the upper charging voltage from 4.6 V to 4.3 V, oxygen reduction increased from 86 percent to 97 percent, and lowering the discharge cutoff voltage to 2.0 V enabled near-complete oxygen recovery. Applied to 40 Ah-class cells, the technology retained 92.2 percent of initial energy after 883 cycles, demonstrating feasibility for commercial large-format applications. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

ProLogium Technology has begun mass production of its Gen 3.5 Lithium Ceramic Battery at its Giga-level facility in Taiwan, marking a move beyond pilot scale for high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries. A TÜV test confirmed the 185.4 Ah cell achieves 381 Wh/kg gravimetric and 903 Wh/L volumetric energy density, while UL Solutions testing under China's GB/T 43568-2026 standard classified it as all-solid-state after weight loss of less than 0.05% under vacuum at 120°C. The company has shipped over 2.4 million cells since 2013, with more than 175 repeat orders from a U.S. automotive audio-system supplier for vehicles of a top-three Japanese automaker in North America, totaling over 900,000 cells. ProLogium's platform strategy allows Gen 4, featuring a fully inorganic electrolyte, to require only about 10% modification of existing production lines, and the company plans global expansion with Taiwan, France, and North America.

HPQ Silicon Inc. and its strategic partner Novacium SAS have delivered 30 custom-configured drone battery packs to three European drone manufacturers for final-stage evaluation. Each manufacturer received 10 packs, with configurations tailored to their technical specifications and drone-platform requirements. The packs incorporate Novacium's proprietary silicon-based anode technology, which aims to offer higher energy densities than conventional graphite-anode cells. This delivery marks the final planned evaluation stage before potential product qualification, following a process that began in the fourth quarter of 2025. The European drone-services market is estimated to reach approximately €14.5 billion by 2030, according to the European Commission's Drone Strategy 2.0.

On August 26, solid-state battery concept stocks in China's A-share market rallied. Shanghai Xiba rose for the third time in two trading days, while Liwang Co., Ltd. and Honggong Technology gained more than 10 percent. Lingge Technology, Dingsheng New Materials, Nanonord, and Penghui Energy also advanced. In terms of news, the first international standard for solid-state batteries led by China was officially initiated at the International Electrotechnical Commission. The full title of the standard is Guidelines, Test Items and Conditions for the Application of Solid-State Batteries in Secondary Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicle Drive. In addition, on August 21, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced that solid-state power batteries would be included in the second phase of the ten landmark projects for strengthening quality chains. Several brokerages released research views. Wanlian Securities pointed out that solid-state batteries will enter a critical stage of pilot line implementation and vehicle installation verification in 2026. Debang Securities judged that 2027 is likely to become a key node for the industry. Soochow Securities predicted that solid-state batteries are expected to begin small-scale production at the gigawatt-hour level in 2027, and that by 2030, the scale in the power sector is expected to exceed 100 gigawatt-hours.

Oppenheimer initiated coverage of Factorial Energy with an Outperform rating and an $8 price target, sending shares up 13.9% in Tuesday's trading. Analyst Colin Rusch sees the company as a leading play in solid-state battery commercialization, citing advantages in development process, cycle time, battery size, manufacturability, and customer validation. Factorial has validated large-format cells on the road, with Mercedes-Benz driving a modified EQS 1,205 km on FEST cells and Stellantis verifying 375 Wh/kg before integrating FEST into a Dodge test vehicle. Rusch estimates revenue will rise from $1.5 million in 2027 to $130 million in 2030, with gross margin expanding from 25% to 35% over that period, and expects the company to raise about $300 million through warrant exercises and equity raises through 2030 to fund $174 million in estimated capital spending during 2026-30.

QuantumScape Corporation shares have gained about 11.4% since the company reported a narrower-than-expected second-quarter 2026 loss of 16 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 18 cents. GAAP net loss narrowed 14.4% year over year to $98.24 million, while total operating expenses fell 14.1% to $106.13 million. The company announced a multi-year partnership with Honda and updated its collaboration with Volkswagen Group's PowerCo, and it created three business verticals targeting electric vehicles, AI data centers, and aerospace and defense. QuantumScape lowered its full-year 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $27-$37 million from $40-$60 million and ended June with $859 million in liquidity. Analysts have revised estimates upward since the report, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #3, or Hold.

Jinlongyu released its 2026 semi-annual report, with first-half operating revenue reaching 2.248 billion yuan, up 4.22 percent year on year, as its solid-state battery business formally entered a key industrialization phase. The company's foreign trade revenue came to 286 million yuan, surging 129.99 percent year on year and becoming an important driver of revenue growth. On solid-state batteries, the Huidong materials base has laid out four major product lines, with some production expected to begin before the end of 2026; the Shenzhen Dapeng cell base with annual capacity of 2 gigawatt-hours began preparatory construction in early 2026. The company's 20 amp-hour all-solid-state pouch cell has passed third-party testing, with an energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, and solid-state battery and materials revenue reached 2.0354 million yuan in the first half.

Amprius Technologies raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to at least $140 million, up from a prior forecast of at least $130 million, after reporting record second-quarter revenue of $34.0 million, up 19% from the first quarter and 2.3x year-over-year. Gross margin improved to 27% from 20% in the first quarter and 9% a year ago, driven by a favorable product mix, and the company now expects full-year gross margins of at least 28%, raised from a previous target of 25%. SiCore batteries accounted for 98% of second-quarter sales, with EMEA contributing 68% of total revenue, fueled by demand from European drone manufacturers. The company also announced a three-year supply agreement with Stark Future for electric motorcycles, expected to generate at least $100 million in revenue through 2029, and a $24 million order from a new European drone customer for SiCore cylindrical cells. Amprius ended the quarter with $74.5 million in cash and no debt, and it reiterated its target of positive adjusted EBITDA of at least $4 million for the full year.

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government is preparing to invest three billion dollars in critical mining projects to reduce dependence on supply chains dominated by China. One key project is a 1.4-billion-dollar loan agreement with Sila Nanotechnologies from the Office of Strategic Capital under the U.S. Department of Defense, aimed at expanding production of silicon anodes for batteries and lithium-ion battery cells. The Department of Defense is also set to invest 400 million dollars in Sunrise Energy Metals to expand scandium production in Australia, and another 150 million dollars in Niron Magnetics, a magnet manufacturer based in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Export-Import Bank of the United States is working to secure over one billion dollars in financing for Ivanhoe Electric's Santa Cruz copper mine in Arizona, along with a 25-million-dollar investment to kick-start a graphite mine in Alabama. The U.S. government also plans to spend more than 180 million dollars to support educational programs for the mining industry, with the goal of training a new generation of American mine workers. Trump stated that these efforts will help the United States avoid relying on hostile foreign nations for the resources needed to build the country's strength in the future.

HPQ Silicon announced that its HPQ ENDURA+ Gen4 21700 lithium-ion battery platform has successfully achieved UN 38.3 transportation certification, enabling international shipment for customer qualification and commercial applications. The certification removes a key regulatory hurdle as the Company supports ongoing qualification programs with multiple participants in the drone and defense sectors. Chairman, President and CEO Bernard Tourillon noted that global defense battery demand exceeded 4 GWh in 2025, with nearly 40% from unmanned drone systems, and highlighted the AA NOVA 6S3P drone battery pack developed for a European manufacturer as part of the commercialization strategy. HPQ holds exclusive North American commercialization rights for the silicon-anode battery technology developed by its partner Novacium, and the Company believes establishing commercial references in high-value markets aligns with its broader market deployment goals.

US-based Factorial Energy and Korea's SK On have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate manufacturing synergies for solid-state batteries. The partnership will assess whether SK On's global lithium-ion battery production network, which exceeds 200 GWh of annual capacity including roughly 100 GWh in the United States, can support Factorial's FEST solid-state battery technology. Factorial CEO Siyu Huang emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the company's capital-light industrialization strategy by leveraging existing manufacturing infrastructure. SK On's Head of Future Technology Ki-soo Park noted the opportunity to evaluate technical feasibility and manufacturing readiness, drawing on the company's expertise. The collaboration targets mobility and high-performance markets and marks Factorial's first manufacturing-focused partnership with a global battery producer.

Shanghai Xiba announced that its controlled subsidiary Keyuan Guneng will introduce investor Jinyun Litai through a targeted capital increase, with the latter planning to contribute 40 million yuan to subscribe to Keyuan Guneng's newly increased registered capital. Meanwhile, the company plans to implement a 0.5 GWh solid-liquid hybrid battery cell and 500 tonnes per year solid-state electrolyte powder industrialization project in Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keyuan Guneng, with a planned investment of 100 million yuan.

SAIC Motor's MG brand officially opened pre-sales for the MG 07 on the evening of July 29, launching five variants with a starting pre-sale price of 125,900 yuan. The vehicle packs premium features such as a CATL battery offering 845 kilometers of range, a semi-solid-state battery with 650 kilometers of range, an 800-volt high-voltage platform, 5C fast charging, the Momenta R7 lidar intelligent driving solution, mCDC intelligent electromagnetic suspension, and a HeatMatrix active-cooling electric motor, bringing technologies previously reserved for luxury models down to the 120,000 to 160,000 yuan market and realizing SAIC's vision of technology equality. The MG 07 comes standard with mCDC intelligent electromagnetic suspension across the lineup, and all but the entry-level variant include an AI preview function that scans for speed bumps and manhole covers in advance and adjusts damping firmness in milliseconds. Its 18-in-1 active-cooling electric drive system, HeatMatrix, integrates thermal management into the motor, enabling unlimited launch control without heat degradation and solving the durability challenge of motor cooling. The car also features a VMC blowout stability control system and the Momenta R7 lidar-based advanced intelligent driving solution, supporting AES automatic evasive steering at 130 kilometers per hour at night. SAIC's nearly 190 billion yuan in R&D investment in intelligent electric technologies and over 24,000 valid patents form a technological moat, with its technology foundation fully entering the 2.0 era. In addition, SAIC is rolling out a pop-up store marketing model for the MG 07, with 100 pop-up stores set to open gradually across 59 cities nationwide, signaling a shift in its marketing approach.

Factorial Energy and SK On have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the future development of solid-state battery manufacturing. The partnership will evaluate the technical feasibility and manufacturing considerations for Factorial's FEST solid-state battery technologies, leveraging SK On's global manufacturing network and pilot capabilities. SK On operates more than 200 gigawatt-hours of annual production capacity worldwide, including approximately 100 gigawatt-hours in the United States. The collaboration reflects Factorial's capital-light approach to industrialization, aiming to integrate its next-generation batteries into established manufacturing ecosystems. The MOU is non-binding except for certain customary provisions, with definitive agreements expected to follow.

Battery materials startup Sila raised $300 million to expand its Moses Lake, Washington factory, aiming to produce enough anode material for more than 100,000 electric vehicles. The expansion will increase the plant's capacity from 2 gigawatt-hours to tens of gigawatt-hours per year of silicon-carbon anode material, which can store up to 40% more energy than traditional graphite anodes and charge faster. The round was led by Atreides Management and Sutter Hill Ventures, with participation from 8VC, Bessemer Venture Partners, Matrix Partners, and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. Sila, which previously raised about $1.3 billion according to PitchBook, has supply deals with Mercedes and Panasonic and also sells to consumer electronics, drone, and satellite companies. The funding comes as global EV sales rise 27% year over year, according to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, even as U.S. demand softens amid policy headwinds.

HPQ Silicon's ENDURA+ Gen4 21700 lithium-ion cell platform has achieved UL 1642 safety certification from an accredited independent testing laboratory. The Gen4 platform is certified at 6,500 mAh, an 8.3% increase in capacity over the previously certified Gen3 platform which delivered 6,000 mAh. This certification validates compliance with one of the industry's most widely recognized U.S. safety standards for commercial lithium-ion cells. The milestone supports customer qualification programs, battery pack integration, commercial evaluations, and industrial partnership discussions as HPQ advances its silicon-anode battery technology toward commercialization.

Factorial Energy and Tulip Tech Group have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate commercial deployment of solid-state and lithium-metal batteries for next-generation drones. Initial customer flight testing delivered more than a 30% increase in flight range before any engineering optimization. The companies have established a commercialization framework that includes joint customer engagement and a roadmap toward volume production. Factorial's solid-state and lithium-metal platforms provide higher energy density for longer mission profiles, while Tulip brings proven UAV integration expertise and production scale, having delivered over 100,000 battery packs in a single month to more than 250 customers including NASA. The global UAV market is projected to exceed $160 billion by 2034, with battery performance seen as the defining limiter on unmanned systems.

Retail investors on Reddit are favoring Amprius Technologies over SpaceX, citing significant upside potential for the battery maker. Amprius, which produces silicon-anode batteries for drones, satellites, aerospace, and robots, has seen its stock rise 55% this year. The company's batteries offer higher energy density, enabling longer drone flights and lighter, cheaper satellite launches. First-quarter revenue surged 150% year-over-year, while trailing 12-month revenue tripled, and 2026 revenue guidance indicates 78% growth.

Alliance Global initiated coverage of Solid Power with a Buy rating and a $6.75 price target on June 10. The firm highlighted that Solid Power is one of only a few companies focused solely on supplying solid electrolyte materials to the solid-state battery industry, noting that this electrolyte improves overall battery performance. Separately, Solid Power completed site acceptance testing for SK On's pilot cell line and began construction of its continuous sulfide electrolyte manufacturing pilot facility, with commissioning on track for the end of 2026. The company also supplied electrolytes to Samsung SDI under a joint evaluation agreement with Samsung SDI and BMW, continued customer sampling, and explored commercial-scale production partnerships in South Korea. Solid Power strengthened its balance sheet by completing a $130 million registered direct offering.

Morgan Stanley forecasts sodium-ion batteries will account for 20% of the global battery deployment market by 2030 and 37% by 2035, up from a projected 2% next year, according to a client note reported by CNBC. Analyst Jack Lu characterizes the emerging sodium-ion battery era as the 'New Oil Age,' with the market expected to reach 830 GWh by 2030 and 2.4 TWh by 2035, driven by costs 30%–40% lower than lithium iron phosphate batteries and better cold-weather performance. Lu anticipates nearly $800 billion in new investments by 2035, stating that in an AI-driven, power-intensive world, sodium-ion batteries address the critical bottleneck where energy security meets AI. Another Morgan Stanley analyst, Andrew Percoco, notes that General Motors has an early foothold in the U.S. market through its partnership with Peak Energy to develop next-generation sodium-ion batteries, with GM expecting grid-scale energy storage deployments after 2028 and plans to use the technology in defense and mobility applications. The note follows BYD's unveiling of sodium-ion batteries earlier this year with a lifespan of 10,000 cycles, significantly higher than the current 1,500 to 3,000 cycles.