Inside Volklec's Major Battery Manufacturing Agreement
Volklec, a Midlands-based battery manufacturer in the UK, has taken a major step towards industrialisation and scale-up by announcing an exclusive technology and knowledge transfer agreement with Far East Battery (FEB), a leading Asian battery supplier.
The pioneering partnership will enable Volklec to manufacture advanced lithium-ion batteries in the UK, bolstering the country's high-value battery production capabilities.
With production set to commence later this year at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), Volklec is preparing to establish a high-yield manufacturing line with support from FEB specialists.
The collaboration represents a first-of-its-kind initiative, bringing globally proven battery technology to the UK's growing energy storage and electric mobility sectors.
"This partnership marks a critical step in securing the UK's battery supply chain," explains Phil Popham, Executive Director at Volklec. "There is no greater transformation today than the electric revolution in transport and mobility and our mission is to support innovators in specialist and high-performance sectors with a reliable battery supply."
High-performance battery solutions
Volklec will manufacture two specifications of advanced lithium-ion 21700 cylindrical battery cells:
- Energy cell – A compact NMC chemistry-based cylindrical cell designed for e-mobility and energy storage applications.
- Power cell – A high-performance cell tailored for specialist applications in automotive, aerospace, marine and off-highway sectors.
Initially, Volklec will manufacture the energy cell using UKBIC's existing 100MWh production line. The company plans to expand its capacity with an additional 1GWh production line by 2026 to meet increasing demand.
Looking further ahead, Volklec's strategic roadmap includes the development of a dedicated 10GWh gigafactory, which will represent an investment of more than US$1.2bn and create more than 1,000 highly-skilled jobs by the end of the decade.
Strengthening the UK's battery supply chain
The UK has a strong presence in the specialist and high-performance automotive sectors, but gaps remain in the battery supply chain.
Volklec aims to bridge this divide by providing high-quality, independent battery manufacturing for niche manufacturers that lack access to large-scale gigafactories.
Ron Lee, Volklec's Chief Technical and Manufacturing Officer, states: "Our technology and manufacturing capabilities will ensure that British companies have access to reliable, high-quality battery solutions that meet the demands of an electrified future."
Volklec's leadership team is composed of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in battery manufacturing, automotive and electrification industries:
- Phil Popham, Executive Director – Former Global Operations Lead at Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus Cars CEO and Sunseeker CEO.
- Ron Lee, Chief Technical and Manufacturing Officer – Former Global Director of Powertrain Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover.
- Shakeel Meharban, Chief Commercial Officer – Former Managing Director for the Automotive Business Unit of McLaren Applied.
- Nikki Rimmington, Head of Strategy – Former Strategy Development Director for InoBat Auto.
Powering the UK's electric transformation
Volklec's establishment as the UK's only independent battery manufacturer highlights the country's commitment to decarbonisation and industrial innovation.
Volklec aims to position the UK as a global leader in electrification by focusing on fast-to-market, low-risk design and delivery strategies.
Phil concludes: "British start-ups across the mobility and energy sectors are thriving, yet the supply chain remains fragmented.
"Our goal is to provide stability and quality in battery manufacturing, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of electrification."
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