LONDON, UK: Gelion Plc (AIM: GELN), the Anglo-Australian battery innovator, announced the acquisition of the Lithium Sulfur and Silicon Anode (LiSiS) patent portfolio (including solid and liquid electrolytes, disordered rock salt, electrode formulation and battery materials recycling) from Johnson Matthey for a consideration of £4.25 million payable in cash and will be funded from the Company’s available resources.

Commenting on the IP acquisition, John Wood, CEO, said: “The acquisition of this highly valuable IP portfolio strengthens our own Lithium Silicon Sulfur technology and gives us a broad horizon to be able to mature the technology toward scaled production at a faster rate. It also positions Gelion at the forefront of the global battery technology effort for the next generation of safe, high energy density Lithium batteries.

“We are very enthusiastic about the unique path, we are developing towards high performance Lithium Sulfur technologies. This IP portfolio will help in our objectives toward achieving a protective moat for Gelion’s technology.

Lithium Sulfur is widely anticipated as the next stage of the Lithium energy storage industry and through combining the leading IP portfolio, in the most promising Lithium battery technology segment, with our breakthrough technology development, we believe we have established a very exciting opportunity.”

Gelion has acquired Johnson Matthey’s entire Lithium Sulfur and Silicon Anode patent portfolio which includes over 450 patents across 82 patent families, as well as silicon alloy development program, technology transfer packages, market and portfolio analysis, and manufacturing design and cost models.

With the Group’s focus on Sulfur cathodes, Gelion is in advanced discussions to the sale of the 73 patents and applications relating to silicon anode to a third party. Should the sale be successful, this would result in a net cash outflow of c. £3m which will be settled from the Company’s existing resources.

The IP acquired is a very valuable portfolio that covers various essential aspects of Lithium Sulfur technologies. However, we recognize that one significant challenge in this field is sulfur management, which if left unaddressed, can lead to batteries with limited cycle life and reduced commercial feasibility. We are confident that our existing IP portfolio, which offers a cutting-edge solution for this issue, will complement, and enhance the newly acquired portfolio. By combining the strengths of both portfolios, we can offer a clear pathway to a commercially viable product, providing us with a crucial strategic advantage in a highly competitive market.

This combined portfolio will allow Gelion to establish a strong and resilient IP portfolio, which will provide effective protection to retain a strategic advantage over competitors in the same space. The consolidation of both portfolios in conjunction with Gelion’s unique development strategy, will facilitate the rapid acceleration in technology development and provides a strategic path to commercialisation that eliminates any reliance on advancements required to develop mature lithium metal anodes. Gelion will develop Lithium-Sulfur cathodes that are compatible with a range of anode technologies, including graphitic and silicon, which will be expediated by this acquisition.

Gelion’s Performance Additives division is developing sulfur cathodes which, when paired with existing silicon anode technologies, improves overall Lithium-ion battery safety, energy density and cost, which are key drivers in establishing the competitive differentiation for many upstream products. This presents a compelling commercial proposition for a range of markets including electric vehicles, e-aviation and drones.

The combination of this substantial IP portfolio with Gelion’s Lithium Sulfur and LiSiS development program supports Gelion’s progress and gives the Company freedom to operate with a protective moat around the solutions it intends to develop. In particular, this acquisition gives the Company the opportunity to significantly advance its efforts to achieve this higher gravimetric energy density while reducing cost without using rare and expensive metals and increasing safety.

Lithium Sulfur is expected to be the next generation battery technology due to its significantly high energy densities than Lithium-ion technology, and the absence of transition metals. This IP portfolio provides a unique opportunity for Gelion to position its research effort at the forefront of the battery market. Gelion will progress through the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) stages to establish paths to scaled production.

The acquired portfolio is complementary to Gelion’s own IP providing Sulfur management solutions. It will give Gelion a strategic advantage in this competitive space. The acquisition of one of the largest portfolios in the Lithium Sulfur space significantly strengthens Gelion’s overall offering in the LiSiS market, enhances the Group’s existing IP portfolio and assists in achieving the Group’s aim of creating a sustainable future through next-generation energy storage solutions.