Swiss holding company Blackstone Resources AG, has reportedly joined hands with some of its strategic partners across Poland, Germany, Austria, and Belgium. The aim of the partnership is for the company to build and finance its own research team in collaboration with these partners.

As per sources familiar with the matter, Blackstone’s partners are inclusive of research specialists from numerous disciplines, based at the Technical Universities of Braunschweig and Clausthal, Germany, as well as the Fraunhofer Institutes (of Goslar and Offenburg). Reportedly, the team so formed will have numerous objectives in pipeline, including the development of novel production technologies for the Swiss company’s planned battery manufacturing facilities. This will also include the development and testing of new solid-state battery technologies and production techniques (like 3D printing).

Electric vehicles perpetually rely on lithium-ion batteries, comprising liquid electrolytes and battery metals. While numerous changes in battery formulation have led to the production of enhanced batteries, the consensus is to bring about a massive change in the underlying technology. This has led to an incremental demand for solid-state batteries, that are made of solid material, with a solid electrolyte. Blackstone seems to have recognized that solid-state batteries are the next step in technological evolution, on account of which they seem to be investing majorly in solid-state battery production, claim experts.

Incidentally, solid-state batteries offer quicker charging, slower degradation, and increased capacity – in fact, they are known to even eliminate some of the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. The robust demand for these batteries is reportedly evident from the fact that numerous companies like Panasonic and Toyota have already forged partnerships to deploy and deliver this type of technology. In fact, even Tesla is speculated to invest in solid-state battery technology to improve vehicle performance.

As per sources familiar with the knowledge of the matter, this move is a part of Blackstone’s R&D program in battery technology. The program includes a planned project worth EUR 200 million, a part of which is provided by Blackstone. The remaining investment is likely to come from the subsidy program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Source Credits:

http://www.blackstoneresources.ch/investors/news/index.php?content_id=97