UK-based Echion Technologies, which develops niobium-based, fast-charging battery materials, has landed £10 million in funding. The investment came from Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, which backed Sustainable Ventures, and existing investor BGF, which recently backed Twenty7tec and ForeFront RF.
This round follows the $35 million investment it secured a few months back. This funding will enable Echion to accelerate the speed at which its network of partnered cell manufacturers can produce commercially available cells that utilise its innovative niobium-based XNO® anode material. It will also support Echion’s growth in key markets by providing additional resources to connect cell manufacturers with industrial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This will see XNO® utilised in more real-world applications, at volume, soon.
Steven Poulter, Head of Principal Structuring and Investments, Barclays, said: “Echion’s leading battery technology is unlocking a long-awaited, economically viable means of decarbonising heavy-duty vehicles by electrification. By producing fast-charging, high-power batteries with minimal deterioration over a life cycle, Echion has overcome the performance and affordability challenges which have prevented electrification of heavy-duty fleets to date.”
Dennis Atkinson, investor at BGF, said: “Echion’s innovative approach to battery technology and their commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our values and investment strategy. We believe that Echion’s cutting-edge XNO® technology is set to play a key role in electrifying and decarbonising heavy transport, and we are pleased to continue our support, having first invested in 2021.”
Revolutionises lithium-ion battery tech
Echion’s XNO® anode material enables lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to fast charge in under 10 minutes while maintaining high energy density and delivering over 10,000 charge cycles. XNO® is based on proprietary mixed niobium oxide compositions and microparticle designs protected by 13 international patent families. It delivers lithium-ion battery performance highly suited for industrial, commercial, and high-value applications that demand the highest up-time, lowest total cost of ownership, and highest safety.
Niobium manufacturing facility
Through its collaboration with CBMM, the world’s largest niobium producer, Echion operates a manufacturing plant, located in Araxá in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is the largest niobium-based anode production facility in the world with a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes annually. This is equivalent to 1 GWh of Li-ion cells, ensuring a reliable supply to meet global demand from cell manufacturers and OEMs.
Sustainable battery with XNO®
XNO® materials are moisture-stable, micrometric particles, which have gained a reputation for being extremely easy to handle and process under industrial mixing and coating conditions.
The company has optimised the materials to work equally well with NMP, aqueous, and dry extrusion processes. XNO® is compatible with standard current collectors (aluminium and copper), binders, separators, electrolytes, and cathodes. XNO® has been demonstrated in commercial batteries.
As per research, it has been found that XNO® has a lower environmental impact when compared to lithium titanate (LTO) anodes when evaluated at a material and cell level. A study by Ghent University, which has been peer-reviewed in the Sustainable Materials and Technologies Journal, found a 51% difference in global warming potential (GWP) in the supply of the two anode materials, in favour of XNO®.
XNO®’s ability to deliver superior environmental performance than commercial lithium-ion and graphite battery anode materials further adds to its distinctive performance. This has proved to be of great interest to OEMs and cell manufacturers searching for solutions that will meet greater carbon neutrality demands in response to legislative, social, and environmental pressures.
Jean de La Verpilliere, CEO of Echion Technologies, said: “This investment by Barclays and BGF is strong recognition of the value delivered by XNO®. By utilising XNO®, cell manufacturers can deliver the most innovative, sustainable, and high-performing batteries to facilitate the effective electrification of heavy-duty vehicles. It is gratifying to have some of the world’s leading investors support our ambitions and cement their belief in XNO® by investing significant capital. Their investment will enable us to take the next major step forward in our fast-moving company journey.”
Use cases
Echion Technologies was born in the labs of the University of Cambridge Engineering Department in 2017. It was founded by Jean de La Verpilliere and Dr. Alex Groombridge. It empowers cell manufacturers to stay ahead in high-value markets. By combining rapid charging, enhanced safety, and superior cycle life, XNO® enables businesses to achieve technical and commercial advantages in the fast-growing e-mobility and industrial battery sectors.
Applications powered by XNO® include battery electric and hybrid trains, mining haul trucks, electric buses, heavy-duty industrial transport and delivery vehicles.
Competition
Echion Technologies’ competitors include Vianode, a private equity-backed company in Oslo, Norway, focused on advanced battery materials, particularly synthetic graphite anodes; Australia’s Novonix Group, which develops high-performance battery materials, including synthetic graphite and advanced cathode products; and US-based Advano, which specialises in silicon-based anode materials, which enhance the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.
Sustainable player in battery tech industry
Echion stands out as a leader in sustainable battery tech with its proprietary XNO® niobium-based anode material. Offering fast charging, exceptional cycle life, and high energy density, XNO® addresses the performance needs of industrial and commercial e-mobility sectors while reducing environmental impact. Given that XNO® has a 51% lower global warming potential compared to lithium titanate anodes, it aligns with global carbon neutrality goals.
That said, Echion continues to lead the charge in transforming energy storage, offering solutions tailored for industries demanding peak performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
