The demand for batteries is skyrocketing as more and more gasoline- and diesel-powered cars, buses, and trucks are to be replaced with electric vehicles. Electric propulsion eliminates emissions from vehicles, but battery production is associated with significant emissions, including carbon dioxide. Moreover, China controls virtually all raw materials for battery manufacturing, which the EU sees as a cause for concern.
However, Uppsala-based Granode Materials has a more sustainable and efficient battery solution that also means production can take place in the Nordic region.
“We replace large parts of the dirty graphite with silicon and get a battery that is both cleaner and more efficient,” says Granode’s newly appointed CEO, Lars Schedin.
Batteries consist of three main parts:
- The anode, commonly referred to as the negative pole,
- The cathode, or positive pole,
- The electrolyte in between.
In simplified terms, power is extracted when electrons move from the negatively charged anode through the electrolyte to ultimately reach the cathode. When all electrodes have completed the same journey, the battery is discharged. Granode is interested in the first third, namely the anode, which consists mostly of graphite, i.e., carbon.
“The anode accounts for 50% of battery emissions, and synthetic graphite is the culprit,” explains Lars. “We have a method where we can replace a large part of the graphite with silicon. Our technical solution involves processing silicon and graphite to achieve optimal particle shape, size, and mixture. Through this, we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 85% while simultaneously increasing battery efficiency by nearly 30%.”
An overarching EU goal is to reduce dependence on batteries from China and establish domestic production. By 2030, the goal is for 10% of the EU countries’ needs to be covered by domestic production based on domestic raw materials.
“One might think the goal is set low, but it takes a long time to build battery production on a large scale,” says Lars. “However, both silicon and graphite are available in Norway, and graphite is also found in Turkey, so the conditions are definitely there.”
At its core, Granode’s technology is based on its own patent, but development is continuously driven forward by the company’s development team.
“We have a fantastic dynamic and dedicated team at Ångström Laboratories in Uppsala,” says Lars. “We have a guy from South Korea, one from Ethiopia, a girl from Russia, and the work is led by a young person from Iran – all with PhDs.”
In parallel with technological development, Granode is planning its first pilot project with a partner. If successful, production capacity of up to 60,000 tons per year will be available. Ultimately, however, the company wants to build its own factory.
“We eventually want to own the production, and our facility will be located somewhere in the Nordic region. Both the processing of raw materials and battery production require a lot of electricity, so a location in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, or Finland seems likely,” says Lars.
The company is now planning full-scale tests with prospective customers. If they go as well as Lars believes and hopes, regular deliveries could start by the end of next year. Granode will then be able to offer battery mass for anodes that provide more efficient and sustainable batteries at a lower price. However, there are challenges, Lars points out.
“Currently, production capacity at battery manufacturers is the industry’s biggest bottleneck. Not long ago, Scania announced that they could sell significantly more electric buses and trucks if there were enough batteries on the market. Europe’s battery manufacturers are currently focusing their efforts on increasing production capacity.”
Since a few weeks back, Granode has been part of Swedish Scaleups. Lars believes that capital acquisition is currently the most prioritized area for cooperation.
“To begin with, we will participate in a pitch event on May 23,” he says. “The project has just begun, and so far, we have focused on capital acquisition. But we will surely find more areas to collaborate within. I look forward to an expanded contact.”