Deregallera : DGI’s anode material passes key milestone

No controversial materials

Sodium, which is 1,000 times more plentiful than lithium, is a primary constituent of sodium-ion batteries and, unlike the highest energy density lithium-ion batteries, they require no scarce, costly, or controversial materials such as cobalt, nickel or graphite in their construction. DG Innovate's hard-carbon anode materials can, however, also be used with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes in a lithium-ion batteries that are graphite, cobalt and nickel free.

Environmentally friendly

DG Innovate's hard-carbon anode materials are synthesised with a low energy processing technique that has minimal environmental impact and, as the biowaste used to produce them would otherwise go to landfill, the materials have negative equivalent CO2 emissions. In contrast, market-leading hard-carbon and the synthetic graphite anode materials used in lithium-ion batteries are produced by energy-intensive high-temperature treatment of either needle coke or petroleum pitch, which are themselves by-products of fossil fuel processing.

Non-toxic materials

The lithium and cobalt found in most lithium-ion batteries and the lead found in lead-acid batteries are all toxic and, if released into the environment, are dangerous contaminants. In addition, natural graphite is processed into lithium-ion graphite anode material using highly toxic hydrofluoric acid which is reportedly now being found in drinking water supplies near the processing plants. Lithium-ion battery manufacture also relies on highly toxic NMP, a known cause of severe birth defects. Batteries that use DG Innovate EBT avoid all of these issues.

Cost efficient

Because traditional battery technologies rely on scarce materials that are difficult to handle and process safely, manufacturing costs are unavoidably high and are expected to increase dramatically as the demand for batteries grows. EBT batteries rely on inexpensive materials that are in plentiful supply, thereby eliminating these critical problems.

Avoids UK battery material tariff

By 2024, battery packs produced in the UK/EU will need to contain a minimum of 50% materials, rising to 70% by 2030, from the UK/EU to avoid paying a 10% tariff when exported. EBT materials are all sourced and manufactured in the UK, which supports this rule of origin requirement.

High energy storage capacity

Since sodium is denser than lithium, sodium-ion batteries have traditionally been assumed to offer lower energy storage capacity than lithium-ion batteries of comparable size and weight. Prototyping around the world has shown that this is not the case. Even today sodium-ion can comfortably match LFP-lithium-ion for energy density, and LFP is now widely accepted as suitable for standard-range EVs. New manufacturing techniques continue to increase the performance of EBT batteries and DG Innovate confidently expects to take sodium-ion technology to 200 Wh/kg and beyond, allowing it to compete easily with lithium-ion.

Sustainable batteries

Development of a successful advanced prototype is due for completion by the end of 2022, when the final design prototype will commence alongside construction of a pilot line during 2023. Final testing and manufacture is scheduled for 2024 with full-scale commercial sales targeted for Q1 2025. EBT batteries that use DG Innovate hard-carbon anode materials are a key ingredient in a greener future. They open up the prospect of efficient and effective energy storage with minimal environmental impact, making renewable energy systems more flexible and reliable, while also helping to make electric vehicles truly green, using a truly sustainable feedstock that ensures availability for all humans, for all future generations.