Australian battery materials company Sicona Battery Technologies, backed by Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd., has secured up to AUD 45 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to support the commercialisation of its silicon-carbon anode technology for lithium-ion batteries.
The funding, awarded under ARENA's Battery Breakthrough Initiative, will be used to construct and operate a commercial-scale demonstration facility at BlueScope Steel's Port Kembla precinct in New South Wales, Australia. The facility will manufacture Sicona's proprietary SiCx silicon-carbon anode material for use in electric vehicles and energy storage batteries.
According to ARENA, Sicona's silicon-carbon anode technology has the potential to improve lithium-ion battery energy density by up to 20% while enabling charging speeds up to 40% faster than conventional graphite anodes. The company said the material has been designed to integrate with existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing infrastructure, reducing the need for major production changes.
"The funding, awarded under ARENA's Battery Breakthrough Initiative, will support the construction and operation of a commercial-scale demonstration facility at BlueScope Steel's Port Kembla precinct in New South Wales, Australia," the company said in a statement.
The demonstration plant is expected to validate Sicona's manufacturing process at commercial scale while producing qualification samples for battery manufacturers and electric vehicle OEMs. The company said this is intended to support future offtake agreements and broader commercial deployment of the technology.
For Himadri, the development aligns with its strategy of expanding its presence in advanced battery materials. The company had invested in Sicona as part of its efforts to build capabilities across the battery value chain, complementing its investments in lithium-ion battery materials and specialty carbon products.
The announcement comes amid increasing investment in battery supply chains and advanced materials as demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems continues to grow. Silicon-carbon anodes are being explored by the industry as a means of improving battery energy density and charging performance while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing processes.