On March 19, 2025, HPQ Silicon Inc. a technology company focused on green engineering processes, announced a significant milestone in battery performance achieved by its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS (Novacium). The Novacium GEN3 18650 batteries have successfully surpassed 1,000 charge cycles, maintaining a capacity of over 3,000 mAh and retaining approximately 80% of their original capacity. This performance exceeds that of traditional graphite benchmark batteries by 18%, resulting in a cumulative energy gain of 30% over 1,000 cycles.
The GEN3 batteries utilize silicon-based anode materials, which exhibit a slow and linear capacity decrease throughout their lifespan. This contrasts with most similar batteries that typically experience a rapid capacity decline within the first hundred cycles before the rate of decrease slows. The linear degradation profile of GEN3 batteries allows for precise modeling of capacity retention over time, enabling more accurate predictions of lifetime performance. Additionally, this characteristic enhances overall battery efficiency and longevity by mitigating early-stage capacity losses.
Dr. Jed Kraiem, COO of Novacium, highlighted the achievement, stating, “Reaching the 1,000-cycle milestone with such outstanding results, especially under a realistic testing protocol, is a powerful validation of Novacium’s unique and commanding expertise in blending proprietary advanced silicon-based materials with high-grade artificial graphite.” He also mentioned that ongoing tests would further reinforce these results.
At the 1,000-cycle mark, GEN3 technology demonstrated significantly higher performance compared to graphite-based batteries. The Novacium GEN3 batteries delivered approximately 3,500 Ampere-hours (Ah) over 1,000 cycles, compared to about 2,700 Ah from graphite-based alternatives, marking a 30% increase in total energy output. This positions Novacium’s GEN3 technology as a superior and longer-lasting option in lithium-ion battery development.
Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS, emphasized the strategic approach of testing full-size, commercial-grade 18650 batteries to showcase the effectiveness of their proprietary materials. He noted that direct comparisons with commercially available batteries highlight the real-world advantages of their silicon-based anode materials.
The market for silicon-based materials is expected to grow significantly, with the global graphite market projected to expand to 11.1 million tonnes by 2030. HPQ-Novacium aims to capture a substantial portion of this market by replacing up to 10% of graphite in existing manufacturing processes without requiring costly retooling. The company plans to establish a pilot plant for large-scale manufacturing of silicon-based anode materials, either independently or through partnerships.
“We are ready to leverage the battery expertise and silicon anode innovations developed throughout 2024 to deliver materials with low operating costs, minimal carbon footprints, and exceptional performance,” Tourillon stated. “Our next step will be to establish, either independently or through partnerships with industrial players, a pilot plant capable of manufacturing silicon-based anode materials at scale.”
Source: Novacium
