The recent Cross-Sector Battery Showcase in Leicester was a powerful reminder of just how fast the energy landscape is evolving and why the work we’re doing at Batri is so critical.
With over 400 industry leaders, researchers, and innovators in attendance, the event was a hive of discussion, innovation, and insight. From sustainability to security, the message was clear: batteries are at the heart of the UK’s energy, transport, and defence future.
At Batri, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our team left Leicester energised by the conversations we had and even more determined to accelerate the development and deployment of sodium-ion battery technologies across strategic sectors.
Why Sodium-Ion Matters for Marine, Rail, and Defence
While lithium-ion cells remain dominant in consumer EVs and electronics, sodium-ion offers unique advantages for heavy-duty, safety-critical, and strategically sensitive applications. These include:
Marine
Sodium-ion chemistry performs well in maritime environments, offering high thermal stability and avoiding the fire risks and rare material dependencies of lithium systems.
Rail
Cost-effective, robust, and scalable, sodium-ion is ideal for auxiliary power, hybrid drive systems, and trackside energy storage in rail infrastructure.
Defence
Non-flammable, secure, and free from geopolitically sensitive raw materials, sodium-ion enables sovereign energy storage solutions that meet demanding operational and safety standards.
These sectors aren’t looking for off-the-shelf EV batteries—they need platforms that are tailored, resilient, and safe. That’s where Batri comes in.
Local Materials, Local Knowledge, Lasting Impact
At the Showcase, one of the dominant themes was sovereignty: the urgent need for the UK to develop domestic capabilities in battery materials, manufacturing, and systems integration. The global supply chain is no longer guaranteed. From conflict to climate, the risks are growing—and so is the opportunity.
Batri is building a localised sodium-ion supply chain, sourcing raw materials that don’t require importing wherever possible and developing high-performance anode materials, including our UK-manufactured Composite Carbon. Our work is helping to:
Reduce dependence on imported lithium and cobalt
Strengthen the UK’s economic resilience and energy security
Create high-value jobs in science, engineering, and manufacturing
Enable British companies to compete globally with sovereign technology
A Safer, More Sustainable Future
Sodium-ion cells offer a compelling route to greener, safer energy storage. At the Showcase, it was clear that the market is ready for technologies that prioritise environmental impact alongside performance. Sodium-ion delivers on that promise, offering:
Non-toxic, abundant raw materials
Easier end-of-life recycling and lower environmental footprint
High thermal stability and reduced fire risk
Strong performance in temperate climates, ideal for UK-based applications
With active R&D programs, pilot-scale manufacturing, and growing partnerships across sectors, we’re enabling the UK to take control of its energy future.
Let’s Build the Future Together
We’re grateful to Innovate UK Business Connect for hosting such a dynamic and thought-provoking event, and to everyone who stopped by to learn more about our work. The conversations we had confirmed what we already believe: the time for sodium-ion is now.
If you’re working in marine, rail, defence, or any sector where safety, sustainability, and sovereignty matter, Batri is ready to partner with you. Together, we can build energy systems that are not only powerful, but proudly, securely, and sustainably British.
