Sicona Battery Technologies announced that it has secured $45 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to build and operate its first commercial-scale silicon-carbon battery anode material production facility. The facility will be located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales.
As part of the project, Sicona and BlueScope Steel have entered into an exclusivity agreement to assess the potential development of the facility within BlueScope’s Port Kembla precinct.
The new facility is expected to scale production of Sicona’s silicon-carbon battery anode material, SiCx, to up to 230 tonnes per year for advanced customer qualification and commercial sales.
Sicona said its SiCx technology improves lithium-ion battery performance by increasing energy density by more than 20% and enabling charging speeds more than 40% faster than conventional graphite.
The technology is also compatible with existing lithium-ion battery production lines, which the company said provides a clearer path to customer qualification, offtake agreements, and commercial-scale supply with global battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers.
The ARENA grant will be delivered through the Australian Government’s Battery Breakthrough Initiative, which supports domestic battery manufacturing capability and Australia’s role in the global battery supply chain.
Sicona said the grant is a major validation point as it moves from technology development into commercial scale-up.
The company’s materials are being developed for electric vehicles, AI data centers, power tools, defense, robotics, and other high-performance battery markets.
The Wollongong facility is expected to create up to 36 skilled manufacturing jobs and support workforce development, training, and local industry partnerships.
The funding follows Sicona’s May 2025 licensing and strategic partnership with Himadri in India, which included a AU$17.5 million follow-on investment.
Sicona is also planning a 6,500-tonne-per-year commercial facility, with longer-term expansion potential to 26,500 tonnes per year.
Sicona Battery Technologies is an Australian battery technology company focused on improving lithium-ion battery performance through silicon-carbon anode technology designed to increase energy density and improve charge and discharge rates.
KEY QUOTES:
“ARENA’s support is a major endorsement of Sicona’s technology, our team, and Australia’s ability to build globally relevant battery materials manufacturing capability.”
“Battery-powered industries need higher performance at lower cost. Our silicon-carbon anode technology is designed to deliver faster charging, greater energy density and a scalable pathway into existing lithium-ion battery supply chains.”
“While EVs remain a major opportunity, some of the fastest-growing demand is coming from AI data centres, robotics, drones and power tools. These applications need high energy and power density today, and SiCx is designed to help meet that demand. The Wollongong facility will allow us to validate our process at commercial scale, deliver SiCx to customers, and accelerate our entry to multiple markets.”
“It also shows Australia can do more than export unprocessed critical minerals. We can manufacture advanced materials, create skilled jobs, and compete in the high-value battery supply chains that will power the global energy transition.”
Christiaan Jordaan, Founder and CEO of Sicona Battery Technologies
“Sicona is developing the kind of next-generation battery technology that can help Australia move further up the global battery supply chain.”
“Improving battery performance is critical to accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles and supporting the transition to a net zero economy.”
“Sicona’s technology has the potential to deliver faster charging, longer driving range and lower-cost batteries. The technology has undergone independent testing and is already being evaluated by global battery manufacturers and electric vehicle companies, highlighting its strong commercial potential.”
“By supporting Sicona’s Wollongong facility, ARENA is helping build the domestic manufacturing capability Australia needs to turn battery innovation into commercial supply.”
Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA
