Germany is positioning itself at the forefront of battery technology as Berlin-based theion announced the successful closing of a €15 million Series-A funding round today. This investment will accelerate the development of its next-generation crystal sulfur batteries.
Strong Investor Confidence in European Battery Innovation
The funding round was led by Team Global, with participation from Geschwister Oetker Beteiligungen and Enpal. This significant investment signals strong confidence in Germany’s and Europe’s ability to innovate and lead in energy storage solutions, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion technology.
theion’s Breakthrough Crystal Sulfur Battery
theion’s crystal sulfur battery represents a significant breakthrough in energy storage, targeting:
- Three times higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
- One third of the cost, making it an economically competitive alternative.
- One third of the carbon footprint, addressing crucial sustainability challenges.
Sulfur, the 16th most abundant element on Earth, contains considerably more energy per weight compared to current battery materials. This potential allows future batteries to be three times lighter than today’s lithium-ion options. While leading scientists recognize sulfur’s weight-saving potential, the limiting factor has been battery cycle life. For sulfur batteries to be economically viable, they need to achieve over 1000 cycles.
theion’s proprietary technology overcomes this challenge by utilizing sulfur’s monoclinic gamma crystal structure. This specific crystal structure, combined with patented processes, lays the foundation for significantly increasing the cycle life of the battery.
Addressing the Growing Global Battery Demand
The worldwide demand for batteries across all industries is projected to triple by 2030, reaching 8 TWh or EUR 500 billion annually. Land mobility is expected to be the largest sector, valued at EUR 340 billion, followed by stationary energy storage at EUR 175 billion and air mobility at EUR 20 billion. Europe has the potential to play a leading role in this multi-billion battery market by utilizing sulfur, an upcycled waste material with a resilient supply chain, making batteries more affordable and powering the energy transition across various sectors.
Leadership Perspectives on the Funding
“We are thrilled to receive this investment from Team Global, Geschwister Oetker Beteiligungen and Enpal. This support will be invaluable in the delivery of this transformational technology,” stated Dr. Ulrich Ehmes, CEO of theion. “Germany has a long-standing history of pioneering engineering and innovation. We are designing our crystal sulfur battery to position Europe as a leader in sustainable energy storage. There is still a way to go but our technology shall enable CO2-neutral electric flights, extended EV range, and efficient stationary energy storage.”
Lukasz Gadowski, CEO and founder of Team Global, added: “I am in no doubt that crystal battery technology can revolutionize mobility and stationary energy storage, and theion is in the vanguard of this tech revolution. theion will help the world achieve new levels of safe, sustainable and cost-effective electrification. Not only can this cell chemistry slash costs for the automotive and mobility sectors, but it should also be a true enabler and catalyst for electrified aviation.”
Sven Wiszniewski, responsible for venture and growth capital investments at Geschwister Oetker Beteiligungen, commented: “We see tremendous potential in theion’s technology to significantly improve battery performance while reducing reliance on critical raw materials. Our investment aligns with our vision of supporting groundbreaking innovations that drive a greener and more efficient energy future.”
European Breakthrough for Sustainability
Chairman of theion, Dr. Gerhard Cromme, emphasized: “Germany must take ownership of its battery supply chain. With this innovation, we are reducing dependency on imported raw materials and strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty.”
Henning Rath, Co-founder and Managing Director of Enpal, stated: “Europe needs technology champions in the battery industry to drive the future of electrification. theion has the potential to disrupt this area with world-beating R&D capabilities, delivering huge value for renewable energy companies like Enpal.”
Advantages of theion’s Battery Technology
theion’s patented crystal sulfur battery offers several key advantages:
- 99% cheaper cathode raw material costs compared to lithium-ion components.
- Less energy-intensive manufacturing, improving overall sustainability.
- Improved safety, addressing critical issues in battery performance.
Targeting Key Markets
The initial target markets for theion’s crystal battery include:
- Electric aviation and aerospace: Ideal for eVTOLs, fixed-wing aircraft, and satellites due to its lightweight and high energy density.
- Electric vehicles (EVs): Enabling extended range and reduced production costs.
- Stationary energy storage: Increasing dramatically renewable energy integration with efficient and sustainable storage solutions.
Strengthening Europe’s Battery Ecosystem
With this technological breakthrough and significant funding, Germany, through theion, is taking a major step towards competing with global battery manufacturers, fostering a robust European ecosystem for advanced energy storage solutions.
