Swedish deep tech startup receives $600K grant to scale upsustainable zinc-ion battery production

Enerpoly, a Stockholm-based zinc-ion battery developer, has secured a two-year grant of $600K (6.8 MSEK) from Vinnova, the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems. The startup specializes in developing and producing safe, sustainable, and affordable zinc-ion battery cells and packs to support the global transition to renewable energy. The grant will be used by Enerpoly to enhance and scale up the production of their zinc-ion battery technology, with a primary focus on improving the complex processes involved in electrode fabrication. The goal is to increase production efficiency, potentially up to 50-fold, and reduce waste, facilitating the development of sustainable and innovative battery solutions for renewable energy.

Enerpoly is a Swedish company founded based on research conducted by co-founder Dr. Mylad Chamoun (CTO) at Stockholm University, along with co-founder Dr. Samer Nameer (CSO). Enerpoly’s patented zinc-ion battery technology utilises zinc and manganese – globally available, cost-effective and recyclable raw materials that are sourced from Europe – ensuring battery storage is more resilient to supply chain disruptions and rising production costs.

With 15-fold growth expected in stationary energy by 2030 according to BloombergNEF, Europe needs to rapidly scale production and development of battery technologies. Zinc-ion batteries are an effective energy storage technology to supplement renewable energy generation given they are affordable, sustainable and have a resilient supply chain, especially when compared to the more ubiquitous lithium-ion battery technology which uses geographically constrained materials.

The main focus of this awarded Vinnova grant will be to advance the complex industrial processes for fabricating electrodes for zinc-ion batteries. Electrode fabrication represents the most critical and challenging step in scaling up zinc-ion technology to the megawatt-hour (MWh) production levels required for large-scale stationary storage applications. With this grant, the aim is for Enerpoly to increase the volume and speed of various electrode fabrication steps up to 50-fold and reduce scrap.

“We couldn’t be more excited about being at the forefront of jump-starting the renewable energy transition. With the demand for batteries intensifying globally, the industry urgently needs the development and adoption of more sustainable and innovative battery solutions,” said Enerpoly Co-founder and CSO Samer Nameer. “The Vinnova grant will help our team develop our technology and internal processes to meet the demands for a world powered by 100% clean energy.”

Vinnova provides governmental funding to companies that are working to develop sustainable practices and innovations, helping drive Sweden’s sustainable growth and promoting collaborations across the country.

Anwar Ahniyaz, Senior Researcher at the Research Institute of Sweden who is working closely with the Enerpoly team on the grants initiatives, commented, “As a rising player in the zinc-ion battery industry, Enerpoly is charging ahead to put Sweden on the map as a thriving cleantech ecosystem and a hub for renewable battery development. With a talented team of engineers with advanced R&D capabilities, the company is developing advanced energy storage solutions to support the growth of renewables and build a more sustainable world.”

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