“Batteries made in Germany, made in Berlin”

Lighter, more powerful and more sustainable than conventional batteries: theion, a start-up founded in 2020, wants to revolutionise the battery market and accelerate the energy transition with a new technology. The aviation industry in particular, but also the automotive industry, could benefit from the sulphur-ion battery from the Berlin-based company, which is based and conducts research on the edge of the Adlershof Science and Technology Park. Martin Schaupp, Chief Technology Officer at theion, in a Brain City interview.

Mr. Schaupp, last year theion opened a new battery research centre in Adlershof to bring its sulphur-lithium battery to market maturity. How does it work? 

Every battery needs an anode and a cathode, i.e. a “positive” and a “negative” terminal. The properties such as voltage, capacity or charging capability are determined by the selection of the respective materials. At theion, we use lithium on the anode and crystalline sulphur on the cathode.

What are the advantages compared to conventional nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries? 

With our sulphur technology, up to three times higher energy densities can be achieved. It is a “lightweight battery”, so to speak. The unit for this is stored energy per kilo. Our goal is to build a battery with 1,000 watt hours per kilogramme. Another advantage is on the cost side. Nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) accounts for by far the largest share of costs on the materials side. As sulphur is a waste material from the chemical and oil industries, it is very cheap. And there are no high costs for extraction and processing. This makes our cell a very sustainable and cost-effective product.

How and for what could the theion crystal battery be used? 

The global market for batteries will grow by a factor of 7 to over 8 terawatt hours per year over the next few years. Electric vehicles, stationary storage systems, portable end devices and, last but not least, electrified aviation have a great need for lightweight or low-cost batteries. Our product is very attractive for all markets in which the weight and cost of the battery play a role.

What was the impetus for founding the startup theion in 2020?

Our founder, chemist Marek Slavik, has been involved in sulphur technology all his life. He found a partner in 2020 and launched theion together with him. We currently employ 20 people here at the Adlershof site in Berlin.

What were the biggest challenges during and after the founding of the scientific startup?

There are many. In addition to the technical challenges, there is always the question of financing. We have now successfully concluded a financing round totalling 15 million euros. We may be a startup, but we work like a normal company. This also means that we have to deal with the bureaucratic requirements. Building permits, safety regulations, waste management plans, insurance, etc. Please don’t get me wrong, of course it all has its place, but it often involves a considerable amount of time.

How is theion’s team made up – and who takes on which tasks?

Our team consists of scientists from the fields of chemistry, physics and engineering. We are all working together on many different work packages with a clear focus on our roadmap.

Will the first theion batteries soon be available on the market?

Many steps are necessary to bring a battery onto the market as a saleable product. From sampling to prototypes to production. We are taking a very big step this year and will be producing small “pouch cells”. How quickly the cells come onto the market will depend on the demand and our financing. However, I am very confident that we will achieve this as planned.

Which scientific partners does theion work with? 

We take advantage of our proximity to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. We have rented access to various measuring devices and laboratory facilities there. We also work together with various sites of the Fraunhofer Institute. This is mainly about verifying our technology. Last year, we had cells tested there in order to obtain an independent statement about the performance of our batteries.

Are there already interested customer companies?  

Yes, of course, because with our triple energy density we can make the business models of many customers much more attractive. With aeroplanes, helicopters and drones in particular, every kilo understandably counts.

Why is Berlin a good location for a Deep-Tech start-up like theion?

Berlin’s international orientation is a major advantage for us. We have many nationalities working for us. Many people moved to Berlin especially because of us. As we are in international competition when it comes to highly specialised professionals, Berlin is the place to be.

What qualities should founders have in order to launch a startup from a scientific background successfully? 

Resilience and optimism. Not every day is a good day. The important thing is that it goes in the right direction, and: not to forget to celebrate successes. Even small things must be appreciated.

Where should theion be in five years? 

In five years, our battery will be available in large numbers: “Batteries made in Germany, made in Berlin”

theion.de

Interview: Ernestine von der Osten-Sacken