Australian battery materials startup Sicona Battery Technologies has secured a $45 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to commercialize its silicon-carbon anode material. The technology replaces graphite in lithium-ion battery anodes, aiming to boost energy density and enable EV charging in 10 minutes instead of 30. It also targets improved efficiency for data centers and longer flight times for delivery drones. The grant will support production scale-up in New South Wales, with potential expansion into full cell manufacturing. The technology is based on patents from the University of Wollongong. If successful, Sicona's material could reduce reliance on imported graphite and accelerate adoption of EVs and grid storage by addressing charging speed and energy density constraints.
