Oslo, Norway / Munich, Germany – January 2025 – ZNL Energy (ZNL) and High Performance Battery Technology GmbH (HPB) have announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of high-performance solid-state battery technology. This partnership aims to revolutionize energy storage solutions by integrating ZNL’s cutting-edge ZNL-NPx separator into HPB’s advanced solid-state battery technology.
Breakthrough in Solid-State Battery Technology
In February 2024, ZNL and HPB signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and initiated rigorous testing of the ZNL-NPx separator. The tests demonstrated exceptional stability and compatibility with HPB’s inorganic chemistry, showcasing superior performance through 30 cycles of slow charging/discharging (0.1C) and 500 continuous cycles at 1C from 0% to 100% state of charge. These results confirm significant advantages in battery efficiency and safety, positioning ZNL’s technology as a game-changer in the industry.
In November 2024, the companies solidified their collaboration with a strategic agreement to integrate the ZNL-NPx separator into HPB’s solid-state battery production. By January 2025, HPB’s CTO Markus Stichtnote presented breakthrough results, highlighting the battery’s longevity beyond 3,300 cycles while maintaining high performance at 1C charging/discharging rates. These findings have opened discussions with key stakeholders on scaling production and securing global energy storage contracts.
Market Expansion & Strategic Goals
HPB has already secured its first production agreement for solid-state batteries and is actively engaging with customers across Europe, India, and the United States. The company is forging new partnerships and exploring market expansion opportunities, with a focus on delivering next-generation energy storage solutions. ZNL is a vital part of this journey, supplying the ZNL-NPx separator as a key component of HPB’s commercial battery cells, with Switzerland set to host Europe’s first solid-state battery cell manufacturing facility.
Norwegian-German Collaboration in Green Energy
This partnership aligns with the broader Norwegian-German cooperation in sustainable energy innovation. Since January 2023, the two nations have committed to joint initiatives in battery technology, hydrogen, offshore wind, and carbon capture.
The ZNL-HPB collaboration exemplifies this commitment, driving forward cutting-edge energy solutions for a more sustainable future.
Advantages of Solid-State Batteries
- Longer Lifespan – Extends battery durability and reduces replacement costs.
- Enhanced Safety – Eliminates fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries.
- Higher Energy Density – Supports increased storage capacity for various applications.
- Greater Temperature Tolerance – Performs reliably across diverse environmental conditions.
- Sustainability – Reduces reliance on hazardous materials, contributing to eco-friendly solutions.
Energy Storage & Global Market Trends
The European Union has set ambitious targets for energy storage, aiming for 90 GWh by 2030 and 300 GWh by 2050 to support the transition to renewable energy. On a global scale, BloombergNEF projects the energy storage market to grow 15-fold, from 27 GW/56 GWh in 2021 to 411 GW/1,194 GWh by 2030, reinforcing the increasing demand for advanced battery solutions.
Industry Insights & Media Resources
ZNL ENERGY AS – Benjamin Ferstad, CEO
High Performance Battery – Sebastian Heinz, CEO
