Syensqo and Axens have established Argylium, a joint venture dedicated to advancing the development and industrial-scale demonstration of sulfide-based solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries across Europe. Launched on January 6, 2026, from Brussels and Rueil-Malmaison, this initiative unites Syensqo’s extensive R&D assets — including a pilot production line in La Rochelle and over a decade of laboratory innovation in Aubervilliers — with Axens’ expertise in process design, scale-up and operation of inorganic chemistry plants. IFPEN also contributes specialized knowledge in oxide and sulfide materials from its Lyon research center.
Argylium’s mission is to accelerate the transition from pilot processes to commercial readiness for next-generation battery materials. The company will focus on scaling up sulfide solid electrolytes, aiming to enhance safety, increase energy density and enable faster charging in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Headquartered in France, the venture combines production assets and R&D capabilities to meet a targeted commercialization timeline for sulfide solid electrolytes by 2030.
Thomas Canova, Head of R&I at Syensqo, remarked, “By joining forces with Axens and IFPEN, we are strengthening Europe’s capacity to bring solid-state battery innovations to market and support the continent’s electrification goals.” Fabrice Bertoncini, Executive Vice President for New Development and Transformation at Axens Group, added that the partnership leverages over 50 years of industrial scale-up experience to establish a robust ecosystem for commercializing solid electrolytes by 2030, alongside projects for cathode materials and battery recycling.
Argylium plans to collaborate closely with leading research institutions, automotive OEMs, advanced battery manufacturers and energy technology partners. This collaborative framework will drive further innovation and market adoption, reinforcing Europe’s ambition to develop a sustainable and competitive solid-state battery industry.
Source: Axens
