Altris, a Swedish developer and prototype manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries, and Stora Enso, a leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials and wooden construction, have signed a strategic partnership to develop a hard carbon solution as anode material for sodium-ion batteries, Altris announced June 5.
The hard carbon solution will be based on Stora Enso’s patented Lignode material, which is being looked at by the two companies for developing anode material in Altris’ sodium-ion battery cells.
Altris’ sodium-ion battery technology is made from abundant raw materials, and is free from conflict minerals and toxic elements, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. The company said that its sodium-ion battery also offers outstanding performance in terms of longer life, more flexible working temperatures and safety.
“By combining Altris’ market-leading sodium-ion battery technology and its Prussian White cathode material with Stora Enso’s anode material Lignode, the two companies aim to further strengthen the development of sustainably sourced batteries without compromising on energy density, and to enhance a European battery supply chain,” the two companies said in a joint press note.
Lignode by Stora Enso is a sustainable hard carbon material derived from lignin, a by-product from the manufacturing of pulp. It serves as a more sustainable alternative to current incumbent anode solutions. According to the company, lignin is made of trees that grow back, making it readily available and providing a stable and consistent raw material supply for anode manufacturing.
The partnership with Stora Enso is the latest of several announcements underlining Altris’ product development. In 2023, the company presented a commercial-sized, sodium-ion battery cell with an energy density of 160 Wh/kg.
Commenting on the partnership, Björn Mårlid, CEO of Altris, said, “At Altris, we strive to establish a local supply chain and leverage abundant and clean materials to develop sodium-ion batteries. Therefore, it’s exciting to team up with Stora Enso and take part in their establishment of a Europe-based tree-to-anode supply chain. We are looking forward to the partnership evolving over the coming years, with the aim to commercialize the world’s most sustainable battery.”
Juuso Konttinen, senior vice president and head of Biomaterials Growth at Stora Enso, said, “Bio-based materials are key to improving the sustainability of battery cells. With Lignode having the potential to become the most sustainable anode material in the world, this partnership with Altris aligns perfectly with our common commitment to support the ambition of more sustainable electrification.”
