CHARGING UP: Battery producer sets sight on Geelong factory

LITHIUM sulfur battery manufacturers Li-S Energy will extend a partnership with Deakin University in a major step forward for commercialisation of the technology.

Li-S will expand its production capacity at the Geelong institution after signing a new lease for a 1,000sqm base at the ManuFutures3 facility, which has a three-year initial term and options for two three-year extensions.

The company said it would within months ramp up production to more than 1,000 batty cells per week, or two megawatt hours each year as installs a large dry room and commercial equipment at the site.

The centre is complete with research labs that will collaborate with production teams.

Li-S Energy said its state-of-the-art facility would “demonstrate the scalability of our industry leading IP on lithium sulfur and lithium metal battery technology”, and allow it rto produce commercial-grade gear for use by industry partners.

“Li-S Energy is excited to establish this new facility, collocated with our existing research and production teams in the Deakin University industrial precinct,” chief executive officer Lee Finnear said.

“Finding the right location has been critical and we believe our new facility does this, giving us continued access to world class researchers, while cementing the long-term partnership with the university, and bringing additional skilled jobs to regional Victoria.”

The extension follows successful development of new advanced technology at the university’s Waurn Ponds campus.

Li-S has produced a 20-layer battery cell using a low-flammability electrolyte, which the company believes makes them safer than traditional cells, and includes materials aimed at their improving safety and life cycle.

The producer said it had fielded interest from electric aircraft sectors for the new technology.

“The development of these new battery cells is another validation of the strength of our scientific and technical teams, and our collaboration with Deakin University and other Australian and international institutions,” Mr Finnear said.

“This outcome demonstrates the strength of our progress over the last year. In the coming months we look forward to commencing the production of commercial samples for our partners.”