Sicona Battery Technologies, an Australian battery technology firm, has secured a $45 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop and operate a commercial-scale silicon-carbon anode material production facility in the Illawarra region. Under an exclusivity agreement with BlueScope Steel, the site assessment will focus on the Port Kembla precinct, with planned output of up to 230 tonnes per year of SiCx® for advanced customer qualification and early commercial sales.
SiCx® technology is designed to boost lithium-ion battery performance by increasing energy density by more than 20 percent and enabling charging speeds over 40 percent faster than conventional graphite anodes. Its compatibility with existing production lines supports a straightforward transition to commercial-scale supply, opening pathways to offtake agreements with global battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers.
The grant is provided through the Australian Government’s Battery Breakthrough Initiative, which aims to expand domestic battery manufacturing capabilities and enhance Australia’s role in the global battery supply chain. This funding milestone supports Sicona’s transition from technology development to commercial scale-up and aligns with its broader strategy to serve electric vehicles as well as high-performance applications in AI data centers, power tools, defense, and robotics.
Christiaan Jordaan, Founder and CEO of Sicona Battery Technologies, said, “ARENA’s support validates our approach to delivering faster charging and higher energy densities at lower cost. The Wollongong facility will enable process validation at scale and accelerate our entry into multiple markets.”
Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA, noted that the technology’s potential for faster charging, longer driving range, and cost reduction could help drive electric vehicle adoption and support Australia’s net zero goals. The project is expected to create up to 36 skilled manufacturing positions and foster workforce training and local industry partnerships. It follows a May 2025 licensing and strategic partnership with Himadri in India and precedes Sicona’s plans for a 6,500-tonne per annum production plant, expandable to 26,500 tonnes.
Source: PR Newswire
