A landmark moment for the UK battery industry has arrived; a new cylindrical sodium-ion cell built with Welsh materials and homegrown innovation.
Believed to be the first of its kind made in the UK using fully UK-manufactured anode and cathode materials, the demonstration 18650 cell highlights the rapid acceleration of the nation’s sodium-ion capabilities.
Backed by Faraday Institution funding, Batri and Swansea University have manufactured an 18650-format sodium-ion cell that signals the emergence of a genuinely sovereign battery supply chain.
The cell combines sodium-ion chemistries developed by Batri and Swansea University, including Welsh coal-derived composite carbon, with the active materials representing home-grownIP and nationally available supply chains.
A Major Step Toward a Fully Localised Sodium-Ion Supply Chain
This milestone was enabled through targeted support from the Faraday Institution, whose Sprint funding accelerated development, testing, and integration of UK-grown materials into a commercial cylindrical cell format.
The project brings together the best of British materials science and industrial capability, focusing on:
- Scaling locally made anode and cathode materials
- Validating manufacturability in industry-standard formats
- Reducing reliance on imported components
- Strengthening the foundation for a sovereign sodium-ion ecosystem
This achievement shows what is possible when UK science, UK manufacturing, and bold ambition come together,” said Dr Stephen Hughes, CTO of Batri. “We’re unlocking a sodium-ion ecosystem that starts in Wales and is aiming to reach global markets. The need for safe, robust, and cost-effective alternatives to lead-acid and lower performance lithium-ion is enormous, particularly in applications where resilience, sustainability, and supply-chain security are critical. This milestone shows that Batri, and the wider UK ecosystem, are ready to answer that demand.
From Breakthrough to Scale: The Next Phase Begins
This demonstration cell marks the beginning of a wider development programme. More cells are already in production, with Batri now scaling up both material manufacture and in-house cell-building capability in Wales.
Batri is also working closely with strategic partners such as AceOn Group to integrate UK-made sodium-ion cells into swappable packs, including as part of the StamiNa Ayrton Challenge on Energy Storage project; and custom energy systems. These solutions are being designed for high-demand environments where long cycle life, strong safety characteristics, cost-effectiveness, and supply-chain independence are essential.
Mark Thompson, CEO of AceOn group explained the commercial and strategic importance of this milestone, “Sodium-ion is rapidly becoming a crucial technology for the applications we serve – from mobility and industrial power to stationary storage in harsh environments. Batri’s UK-made 18650 breakthrough, backed by Swansea’s world-class materials science, shows the UK can lead in safe, robust alternatives to lead-acid and entry-grade lithium. We’re proud to partner on the next phase, integrating these cells into modular, swappable solutions ready for scale.
Swansea: The UK’s Emerging Sodium-Ion Powerhouse
This milestone also underscores the growing strength of the Swansea sodium-ion innovation cluster, now a dynamic hub for next-generation battery research, materials development, and cell engineering.
Professor Serena Margadonna commented:
Swansea is quickly becoming a focal point for sodium-ion innovation, and this achievement shows what can be delivered when academia and industry collaborate with urgency and purpose. This is a powerful example of Welsh research translating into real technological capability for the UK.
The region is positioning itself to deliver high-value R&D roles, industrial-scale materials production, new cell manufacturing capabilities, and a growing pipeline of investable opportunities.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:
This milestone strengthens Swansea’s position as one of the UK’s most exciting locations for advanced energy innovation. The growing sodium-ion hub here is already attracting significant inward investment, supporting new skilled jobs and creating real momentum for the regional economy. We are proud to see Swansea emerging as a centre of excellence in a technology with such huge global potential. This also aligns with the wider ambitions of the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.
A Major Signal to Investors and Industry
Sodium-ion technology is rapidly emerging as a safe, sustainable, and geopolitically secure alternative to lithium-ion, one that can be produced using abundant materials and shorter, more resilient supply chains.
This milestone sends a strong signal to investors: UK sodium-ion is real, it is scalable, and it is moving fast.
“Producing a cylindrical sodium-ion cell using UK-made anode and cathode materials is not just a scientific milestone, it is a strategic one. It proves that sovereign battery production is viable and already happening here in Wales,” added Dr Hughes.
