Berlin is knorke: Next generation battery cells

Berlin, 31.03.2025 – Lithium-ion batteries remain the standard choice for energy storage in devices ranging from laptops to electric vehicles. The costs of such batteries have fallen dramatically over the last ten years, but there is a growing need for even cheaper and, above all, more sustainable alternatives, not least because of the increasing demand from e-mobility.

Theion is an innovative startup company dedicated to the development of sustainable battery cells for mobile and stationary applications. Their solution: Sulphur batteries, which offer advantages over conventional battery cells in terms of sustainability, storage capacity and material costs.

Theion’s first target market is electric aircraft. The sulphur batteries are characterised by a high energy density, which makes it possible to achieve longer flight times with low weight. These properties are essential in supporting the transition to zero-emission aviation and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

In addition to electric aircraft, the company is also targeting other key markets:

• Sulphur batteries are ideal for use in stationary energy storage systems. They offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for storing renewable energy, which contributes to greater stability and reliability of electricity grids.
• In the field of electromobility, sulphur batteries also offer a longer range and faster charging times at lower costs. This makes them an attractive option for electric vehicles and helps to accelerate the electrification of the transport sector.
• The aerospace industry also benefits from innovative battery technologies. The high energy density and low weight of sulphur batteries are ideal for applications in satellites and spacecraft where efficiency and performance are critical.

The sulphur batteries developed by Theion offer several advantages:

• Sustainability: Sulphur is an abundant and environmentally friendly material. The use of sulphur reduces dependence on rare and often environmentally harmful mined materials such as cobalt or lithium. The sulphur batteries are therefore fully recyclable at low cost.
• High storage capacity: Sulphur batteries have a higher energy density, which enables longer operating times and greater ranges.
• Cost efficiency: Sulphur is significantly cheaper than many of the materials used in conventional batteries, which leads to a reduction in production costs and increases the economic attractiveness.

Research is constantly looking for further alternatives. At the beginning of the year, for example, a breakthrough was achieved in the development of calcium batteries. Calcium is about 2,500 times more common than lithium and is quite capable of keeping up with current storage properties. The problem so far, however, is that these batteries only function properly at temperatures above 75 degrees Celsius. So this project is still in the experimental phase before it is ready for series production. Saltwater batteries are also a possible alternative, as the raw material saltwater is available in large quantities worldwide and can be extracted and recycled in an environmentally friendly way. However, their energy density is far lower than that of conventional batteries, i.e. they are significantly heavier and larger with the same capacity. Saltwater batteries could also be a promising solution for stationary electricity storage in the future.