SOLiTHOR, a Belgian solid-state lithium battery technology company, and Sonaca, a leading aerospace company, have announced a partnership to jointly develop safe, high-density rechargeable solid-state lithium battery systems for regional aircraft, urban air mobility, satellite systems, and defense systems.
This partnership aims to provide the industry with low noise and energy-efficient solutions to power aircraft, allowing for more effective use of smaller regional airports and addressing under-utilization issues.
Under this bilateral Memorandum of Understanding, SOLiTHOR will be responsible for cell research, development, testing, characterization, format design, and production of 10Ah-40Ah cells while Sonaca will develop the battery packaging and all related management systems, as well as certify the battery system. SOLiTHOR will manufacture the cells in Sint-Truiden, Flanders, Belgium, while the integration of the aircraft battery systems will take place at Sonaca’s plant in Charleroi, Wallonia, Belgium.
Sonaca has set an ambitious goal of proactively contributing to the development of a low-carbon aircraft by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This partnership with SOLiTHOR will be a significant step towards achieving that goal. The alliance will leverage the complementary capabilities of both companies to provide the most advanced solid-state lithium battery systems technologies for all regional aircraft and urban air mobility applications.
The demand for low noise and energy-efficient solutions in powering aircraft is crucial for the industry to make effective use of smaller regional airports and address their under-utilization worldwide. With this partnership, SOLiTHOR and Sonaca are confident in their ability to deliver safe, high-density rechargeable solid-state lithium battery systems that meet the needs of the industry and contribute to a sustainable future.
