Report Identifies Si-blended Anodes as Strategically Important

The ‘Electrical Energy Storage Innovation Opportunity Report, 2025’ has just been published by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC UK), and Nexeon is featured. Si-blended anodes are identified as one of the three innovations most ready for strong commercial opportunities in the UK.

120 innovations are identified in the Electrical Energy Storage (EES) roadmap, and these were analysed and filtered down to seven priority innovation categories that hold strategic importance for the UK’s battery capabilities over the next decade. Silicon-blended anodes for lithium-ion batteries are considered important for several reasons:

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  Improved energy density and range: Silicon can significantly increase a cell's gravimetric energy density, which in turn boosts electric vehicle (EV) range by reducing anode mass. For example, a 10% silicon doping can theoretically lead to a 50% reduction in anode mass. Silicon has a much higher theoretical specific capacity (~4,200 mAh/g) compared with graphite (~360 mAh/g).
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  Cost reductions: While currently more expensive, this technology is expected to lead to lower cost cells and battery packs in the long term.
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  Alleviating supply chain constraints: Silicon-blended anodes can help reduce graphite consumption, potentially easing supply chain limitations.
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  Market access: Si-blended anodes can be used across the entire existing and potential lithium-ion transportation battery market that uses graphite anodes. By 2030, it is anticipated that up to 25% of the global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) market will utilize graphite and silicon-blended anodes (<20% Si).

The report highlights Nexeon as a UK-based leading company in the development of silicon anode materials, with production in Korea. It highlights that silicon-blended anodes hold ‘high potential in the UK automotive sector in the next 10 years’.

This authoritative report was produced by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC UK), and is part of the Automotive Council UK’s Technology Roadmaps, specifically focusing on the priority innovations in the UK battery technology sector. It takes into account techno-economic, commercial, and other market factors.

The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC UK) was established in 2013 with the backing of the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The APC has a history of facilitating funding for numerous low-carbon and zero-emission projects, indicating their expertise and involvement in the industry.