Connecting for positive charge

The Cross-Sector Batteries Showcase welcomed over 350 delegates across multiple sectors, from road and rail transport, to aerospace, defence and maritime, at Innovate UK’s second industry showcase, held this year at De Montfort University in Leicester. Watch the highlights video from the Showcase event.

Kevin Brundish, CEO LionVolt and Co-Chair of the industry advisory board for the Cross Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network, opened the day, celebrating the network’s fifth anniversary. Kevin said the role of the network, which now has over 5,000 members, is to link battery end-users with common challenges and cross-sector solution providers. He said: “Our network’s mission is to create an open and collaborative cross-sectoral community for researchers and innovators in battery manufacturing, including next generation batteries, the related supply chain and end-users.”

There were industry-led panel discussions on four cross-cutting themes:

• Electrification strategy and supply chains
• Safety integration
• Next generation technologies
• Recycling, repurposing and end-of-life strategies

In the afternoon, 30 innovators from industry and academia delivered a 2-minute lightning pitch to showcase their innovative ideas and share their challenges to promote and encourage sharing of cross-sector expertise and knowledge. Examples included drone manufacturers seeking lightweight batteries with autonomous charging solutions, to ceramic coatings for battery electric vehicles looking for collaborators to share data.

New report

Also at the showcase, delegates were given an exclusive first-look of a new Cross Sector Battery report, ahead of its public release this spring. Commissioned by UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge, and delivered by Innovate UK, this report, prepared by WMG at Warwick University in partnership with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, explores how the UK can establish a strong battery supply chain across sectors. The report examines key demand dynamics and their influence on batteries using markets such as heavy duty automotive, off-highway, aerospace, maritime, rail and micromobility.

There are five key findings from the report:

1. A strong emphasis on automotive batteries as a strategic focus.
2. The need to establish a robust supply chain to support new gigafactories.
3. The aggregation of battery manufacturers due to the lack of a large single-source buyer.
4. Exploration of alternative chemistries, such as more cost-effective lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
5. Innovation as a critical driver of the UK’s success in the battery industry.

Dr Ben Walsh, Deputy Challenge Director, Faraday Battery Challenge, Innovate UK said: “This report identifies the key needs of the UK battery manufacturing sector and the areas requiring focus. The challenge now is how we achieve this, through a partnership between government, industry, and the research community to drive an industrial revolution in the UK’s battery manufacturing supply chain. I encourage everyone to read the report and help turn its findings into action.”

Meet some of the 30 exhibitors:

The Structural Battery Company

Based at Cranfield University, the SB Co. pioneers structural battery technology that integrates energy storage within load-bearing structures such as drones. This approach eliminates the need for separate enclosures and redundant weight, delivering safer, lighter, and stronger battery solutions. Earlier this month, the company took its first flight trial on a heavy lift drone, paving the way for exciting applications military, space and robotics.

Global Nano Network (GNN)

GNN are an innovative battery component company based in Coventry. Their product, Hyperfoil, is a coated current collector that enhances durability and discharge capability. They have on show their Dry Manufacturing Electrode components which their innovative and patent-protected manufacturing process shows an exciting improvement for battery electrodes. They are scaling with their First of a Kind (FOAK) pilot plant in the UK, hoping to reach an international market.

Hyperbat

Hyperbat is a joint venture between Fortescue Zero and Unipart and one of the UK’s leading battery systems manufacturers. Based in Coventry, they manufacture modules and packs for customers in all sectors interested in electrification ranging from automotive, marine and aerospace, working closely with leading engineering companies to produce the latest innovative battery systems. Examples of their current and previous customers include Lotus, Aston Martin, and Fortescue for their marine and autonomous vehicles.

Summary

Dr Neelam Mughal, Knowledge Transfer Manager for Advanced Materials at Innovate UK Business Connect, said:

“The Cross-Sector Batteries Showcase has highlighted the incredible innovation happening across automotive, defence, aerospace, rail, and maritime sectors. With 30 exhibitors and insightful panel discussions on topics like battery supply chains, recycling, safety integration, and next-generation technologies, the showcase has demonstrated the power of cross-sector collaboration. It was fantastic to see so many industry leaders coming together to share knowledge and drive progress. Now, the challenge is to turn these conversations into action to help shape the future of electrification.”

Stay connected

Join the Cross Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network. By registering, you will receive newsletters with the latest news, exclusive invites for members-only events, reports and funding updates. You will also gain access to the networking hub where you will be able to post and view battery-related solutions and challenges.