German manufacturer EAS Batteries has signed a licensing agreement with Japanese company Asahi Kasei to use their new electrolyte technology in a cylindrical lithium-ion cell with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode. The cell was developed as part of the “HEADLINE” project, which was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. The battery cell is scheduled for market launch by March 2026 at the latest.
Higher performance and less heat
Asahi Kaseiʼs licensed electrolyte contains acetonitrile, which is designed to reduce internal resistance and improve conductivity under demanding temperature conditions. The goal is to increase power output while reducing heat generation during operation. Asahi Kasei also intends to license the electrolyte technology to other companies beyond EAS.
60-percent increase in performance
According to EAS test data, the new 22-ampere-hour round cell has a continuous power density of 2,550 watts per kilogram. Compared to cells with a conventional electrolyte, this represents a 60-percent increase in performance. At charging and discharging currents of 110 amperes, the cell is said to achieve a full cycle time of 24 minutes. It is expected to have a service life of 2,400 cycles at room temperature before its capacity drops to 80 percent. The cell is intended for industrial applications in areas such as the maritime industry, rail transportation, and construction.
