Europe
OXLiD is a UK-based lithium-sulfur battery technology developer and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gelion since 2023. The acquisition of OXLiD has enabled Gelion to establish a research and development hub in the UK, providing closer proximity to potential European customers and strategic partners. OXLiD has brought highly experienced scientists, IP and patent applications, along with established relationships with blue-chip academic institutions (including Oxford and Nottingham) and access to the UK’s LiSTAR and Faraday Institutions. Together, OXLiD and Gelion will advance their development of advanced sulfur cathode material formulation and anode protection towards commercialisation.
The Max Planck Society (MPG), formerly the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, is the pre-eminent and largest German, non-profit research organization with near unmatched global prestige, conducting basic research in natural, life, and human sciences through its 84 institutes and facilities, which all have specific missions. The Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Colloid and Interface Science is one of the world’s leading deep technology research centres in that area and know for exceptional breakthroughs in materials science, e.g. highly conductive and stable carbon/nitrogen composites that are more ‘noble’ than gold.
MPI Potsdam and Gelion announced a strategic cooperation agreement in March 2025 to develop high-power, high-cycle life sulfur batteries, bringing together Gelion’s advanced battery technologies and MPI’s breakthrough carbon/sulfur composite cathode and nanoconfined anode technologies.
Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Markus Antonietti, Director at MPI was also appointed as Gelion’s Technology Advisor. Professor Antonietti is one of the world’s most influential scientists, currently ranked as thefourth best chemistry scientist globally and first in Germany. He is the Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany, and his groundbreaking research spans sustainable chemistry, catalysis, electrocatalysis, artificial photosynthesis, carbon sequestration, and soil remediation. Professor Antonietti’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Gelion, bringing invaluable expertise and aligning with the Company’s vision to advance cutting-edge battery technologies.
Glencore mines coals, metals and minerals. The company is one of Australia’s largest producers of coal, cobalt, zinc, nickel and copper, and one of the world’s largest, globally diversified resource companies. Gelion has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with to assess the suitability of Gelion’s next generation battery technologies for Glencore to use in stationary storage applications on mining sites, and for mobile applications such as mining vehicles. There is also the opportunity for Glencore to supply materials to Gelion for battery manufacture, and for the companies to work together on battery recycling.
The Faraday Institution is the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research, skills development, market analysis and early-stage commercialisation. The acquisition of OXLiD has opened up opportunities in the UK for Gelion including high levels of support provided by the Faraday Institution, Faraday Battery Challenge and the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which have been instrumental in OXLiD’s fast growth and technological success. The Faraday Institution provided valuable assistance for the acquisition of OXLiD, ensuring a robust IP position for Li-S technology in the UK, while introducing Gelion to become an active member of the community that has been developed around Faraday and LiSTAR.
Gelion has a research laboratory at the University of Nottingham that provides cost-effective access to equipment and resources, furthering their work to commercialise next generation lithium-sulfur battery technology. The company has exclusive rights to IP developed at the University in the area of catalytic materials for sulfur cathode efficacy. Gelion is leveraging licencing for technology developed by OXLiD with the University of Nottingham (and other UK universities) that complements the work Gelion has been doing in Australia. The work is focused on developing electrolytes that can support multiple anode chemistries and additives to control polysulfide shuttle to reduce capacity fading and increase efficiency. As part of their close collaborative working, Gelion and UoN are currently in receipt of joint funding though Innovate UK as part of the Faraday Battery Challenge to support this project.
A unique and historic institution, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, laying claim to nine centuries of continuous existence. Gelion holds a license to Oxford IP through Oxford University Innovation, created in the development of protective anode coatings for lithium-anodes. This work has the potential to increase the efficiency and safety of lithium metal batteries.
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