Ionic Materials develops a solid polymer electrolyte it says will enable low-cost, high-performing solid-state batteries. The company claims its polymer offers inherent safety by eliminating liquid electrolytes, enables higher-energy anodes and cathodes, and reduces costs through simpler manufacturing and less expensive chemistries. Ionic says the material is compatible with a number of next-generation chemistries and could allow production using extrusion and other plastic processing techniques. The company has expanded its facilities and is hiring to meet growing demand, according to its CEO. Ionic has not published a concrete timeline to commercialization, and the article notes that no company has yet achieved large-scale, cost-competitive solid-state production. Hyundai has been pursuing solid-state batteries itself and reportedly started pilot production of next-generation solid-state batteries last year. Ionic Materials develops a solid polymer electrolyte that the company says is the first solid electrolyte to fully function at room temperature and is compatible with lithium and alkaline batteries. Its polymer enables high-energy electrode chemistries, supports lithium-ion cells with little to no cobalt, and could allow safe, lower-cost solid-state batteries as well as very inexpensive rechargeable alkaline batteries. The company intends to supply the polymer to the battery industry as an advanced materials supplier, building an ecosystem of cell manufacturers serving consumer electronics, electric vehicle and energy storage markets. Ionic Materials is headquartered in Woburn, MA. The company recently secured $65 million in a Series C to fuel accelerated growth, support hiring plans, and speed development of its material to meet significant market demand. Strategic partners from battery manufacturing, consumer electronics and the EV ecosystem will work with Ionic to incorporate the polymer into next-generation products.

Total raised

$65M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Feb 2018