Halle-based startup manufactures silicon anodes sequentially
German Start-up NorcSi Revolutionizes Battery Technology with Industrial-Scale Silicon Anode Production
NorcSi, a pioneering German start-up based in Halle an der Saale, is making significant strides in the battery manufacturing industry. The company is progressing from pre-series to automated industrial roll-to-roll production of pure silicon anodes, a development that could revolutionize the battery industry, particularly for the automotive sector [1][2][3].
The company's recent €10.7 million financing round, secured from Millennium Venture Capital AG, IBG-Risikokapitalfonds IV, and European Battery Research Institute GmbH, will primarily support the scaling of industrial manufacturing of pure silicon anodes using the roll-to-roll process [1][2][3].
NorcSi's unique production method overcomes major challenges associated with silicon anodes. These anodes can absorb up to ten times more lithium ions than traditional graphite anodes, leading to higher energy density, faster charging, and potentially lower costs due to silicon's global availability and resource efficiency [1].
The start-up uses patented flash lamp technology to coat copper foil with a thin film of pure silicon. This technology solves the problem of volume changes during charging and discharging, a weakness in previous silicon anodes [1]. The result is a stable bond between copper and silicon, a key factor in NorcSi's production process.
NorcSi's first facility for producing anode material was built in 2022 in collaboration with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, with a width of 180 millimeters. The company has now built a 400-millimeter-wide roll-to-roll system for the industrial production of its anodes at its Halle an der Saale site [1].
NorcSi's test cells already achieve respectable values in terms of cycle stability and exceptional values in terms of charging speed and capacity. The company claims that batteries with silicon anodes produced by NorcSi can be charged in as little as six minutes [1]. This speed, combined with the increased energy density, could potentially enable electric cars to achieve ranges of over 1,000 kilometers [1].
The start-up's new facility, scheduled to supply partners from the battery and automotive industries in spring 2026, has increased its testing and adaptation speed due to the facility built in collaboration with the TU Bergakademie Freiberg [1]. NorcSi aims to be the first company in the world to manufacture pure silicon anodes using a roll-to-roll process [1].
With numerous parameters still open for further optimization at NorcSi, the future of battery technology looks promising. The company's innovative approach could pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient battery industry, particularly for the electric vehicle market.
[1] NorcSi. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from https://www.norcsi.de/about-us [2] NorcSi. (n.d.). News. Retrieved from https://www.norcsi.de/news [3] European Battery Research Institute GmbH. (n.d.). Press releases. Retrieved from https://www.e-battery-research.de/en/press-releases/
Businesses in the technology sector, such as NorcSi, are leveraging advancements in battery technology to revolutionize the automotive industry. The successful completion of a €10.7 million financing round with Millennium Venture Capital AG, IBG-Risikokapitalfonds IV, and European Battery Research Institute GmbH will aid NorcSi in scaling up industrial manufacturing of silicon anodes, a key component for batteries with higher energy density and faster charging times, which could potentially enable electric vehicles to achieve ranges of over 1,000 kilometers.
