AMTE secures key battery cell manufacturing deal

Battery cells manufacturer AMTE Power has signed a mammoth deal for its Ultra High Power Cells to be made at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).

The firm can ask the publicly-funded Coventry institution to make up to 120,000 of the cells – which are designed for use in high performance and heavy goods vehicles – over the next two years.

AMTE was founded in 2013 to develop lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells for specialist markets. The deal with UKBIC is significant in allowing Ultra High Power cells to be made in sufficient scale to allow in-vehicle trials.

Manufacturing trials have shown that the cells’ low internal resistance supports exceptional power delivery and enables a full charge in as little as six minutes.

AMTE Power aims to open a ‘mega-factory’ in Dundee in due course, and claims to have potential business opportunities worth about £240 million. The firm has non-binding memoranda of understanding in place with key automotive partners Cosworth, Viritech and MAHLE Powertrain, in addition to development agreements with Sprint Power, Eltrium and BMW.

AMTE Power chief executive Kevin Brundish said: “Having already secured significant early interest in our Ultra High Power cell from major automotive partners, this contract will enable us to bring our products to market sooner while we progress our own mega-factory.”

UKBIC managing director Jeff Pratt added: “Advanced battery cells being manufactured at volume in the UK is a vital component of ensuring the UK prospers from the energy transition towards net zero.

“This latest agreement – our biggest to date – is further demonstration of the unique value of UKBIC which, since being opened just over a year ago, is already delivering incredibly successful outcomes for the UK with customers like AMTE.”

Minister for industry Jackie Doyle-Price said: “Batteries are the foundation of the industries of the future, from electric vehicles to renewables, and building a domestic supply chain for them is central to our plans to grow the economy, create jobs and bolster energy security.

“This collaboration between two government-backed partners will see AMTE’s battery production ambitions take the next step, and help the UK seize on the opportunities this technology presents.”

Image courtesy of AMTE Power

Image credit: Rob Lacey

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