Belgian research and materials company Syensqo and French energy firm Axens have formed a joint venture, Argylium, to develop and scale materials for solid-state batteries, aiming to bolster Europe’s battery value chain for next-generation energy storage.
Argylium will focus on sulphide-based materials designed exclusively for all-solid-state batteries, which eliminate liquid electrolytes in favour of solid, ion-conducting components. Solid-state batteries are widely seen as a key future technology due to their potential for higher energy density, faster charging, longer driving range and improved safety compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries.
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The joint venture builds on Syensqo’s existing solid-state battery pilot line in La Rochelle and more than a decade of technology development at its Paris laboratory. Axens will contribute expertise in process design, industrial scaling and the operation of inorganic chemistry plants worldwide. Research institute IFP Énergies nouvelles (IFPEN) is also involved, drawing on years of work on oxide- and sulphide-based battery materials.
“The creation of Argylium represents an important step forward in bringing solid-state battery materials to market readiness,” said Thomas Canova, head of research and innovation at Syensqo. “By joining forces with Axens and IFPEN, we are enhancing the chances of successfully scaling up Syensqo’s pilot innovations and contributing to advance Europe’s electrification and energy storage ambitions.”
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Argylium said it plans to work with European research institutions, automotive manufacturers, battery producers and energy technology partners, with the aim of establishing a sustainable and competitive solid-state battery industry across the region.