What Gelion does

Gelion plc is a publicly traded (LSE AIM: GELN) battery technology company developing next-generation sulfur-based energy storage chemistries, founded in 2015 as a spin-out from the University of Sydney by Professor Thomas Maschmeyer. The company's core platform is the proprietary Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur (NES™) Cathode Active Material — a sulfur-based cathode that confines sulfur at the nanoscale within engineered porous structures to prevent polysulfide escape, and is engineered as a drop-in replacement for incumbent nickel- and cobalt-bearing cathodes on existing lithium-ion and sodium-ion gigafactory lines. NES™ underpins two product lines: lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cells targeting mobile applications (EVs, drones, e-aviation, defence) and room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-NaS) cells targeting stationary grid storage, plus a wholly owned Battery Minerals Ltd subsidiary commercialising lithium-ion battery recycling technology acquired from Johnson Matthey.

The company's business model combines three revenue streams: (1) direct turnkey Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integration sales to commercial and industrial customers, with revenue recognised on factory acceptance testing; (2) licensing of NES™ cathode and related IP to battery manufacturers (including an exclusive licence from Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH) via staged cash payments tied to milestones plus royalties on net sales; and (3) grant-funded R&D from ARENA, Innovate UK, UKRI, APC, and DBT. GTM is partnership-led: Tier One industrial collaborators include TDK Corporation (Japan, manufacturing pouch cells), Nissan Technical Centre Europe (automotive solid-state Li-S via the CoRe-SoLiS programme), QinetiQ (defence/aerospace), and research partners Max Planck Institute, University of Oxford, University of Nottingham, and University of Sydney. First commercial BESS customer is Group Energy (Borg Group) in Australia, with £780k recognised in FY2026.

Gelion operates from Sydney (operational HQ and ACPC prototyping facility), Norwich (UK registered office), Nottingham (Gelion Europe R&D lab and solid-state pouch cell prototyping line), and London (Battery Minerals at Imperial College White City). Technical milestones include 402 Wh/kg energy density in a 12 Ah cell, 750+ cycles at 1C in lithium-metal pouch cells, ~4 mAh/cm² areal capacity, and >95% lithium recovery from waste analogues in the recycling process. The IP portfolio exceeds 200 patents and applications, and management has guided that material integration revenue will not commence until FY2027, leaving the company pre-commercial at the cell level.

Name

Gelion

Legal name

Gelion plc

Website

https://gelion.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gelion plc is a UK-listed (LSE AIM: GELN) battery technology company commercialising proprietary Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur (NES™) cathode chemistry for lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur batteries, serving EV, drone, e-aviation, defence, and grid storage customers via Tier One industrial partnerships (TDK, Nissan) and direct BESS integration sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Storage / Battery Technology

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Cathode Active Materials (CAM) Manufacturing (EUAFABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solid-State Battery Materials & Cell Manufacturing (EUAFABAH), Lithium-ion Battery Recycling (Mechanical, Hydro, Direct Recycling) (EUAIAIAF), Automotive Batteries & 12V/Low-Voltage Energy Storage Manufacturing (IMACAJAJ)

Keywords

• Lithium-sulfur batteries
• Sodium-sulfur batteries
• Cathode active materials
• Battery energy storage systems
• Battery recycling technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. BESS Integration Solutions: Turnkey battery energy storage system integration solutions sold to commercial and industrial customers. Revenue recognized upon completion of factory acceptance testing. Examples include 2x2MWh systems for Group Energy at Borg Group sites.
2. Technology Licensing: Licensing of NES™ cathode technology and related IP to battery manufacturers and industrial partners. Revenue from royalties and staged cash payments based on technical milestones.
3. IP Commercialisation: Exclusive licensing agreement with Max-Planck-Innovation includes staged cash payments based on milestones and royalties over net sales of Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur materials.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gelion develops and commercialises proprietary Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur (NES™) Cathode Active Material technology for next-generation lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur batteries, replacing critical minerals with abundant sulfur. The company sells its NES™ CAM via licensing to battery manufacturers and offers turnkey Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integration solutions to commercial and industrial customers, alongside lithium-ion battery recycling technology through its Battery Minerals subsidiary.

Product overview

Gelion is a battery technology company developing next-generation sulfur-based energy storage solutions. The company's portfolio centers on its proprietary Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur (NES™) Cathode Active Material platform, which is licensed from and developed in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute. Gelion's core products include two battery platforms: Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) for mobile applications (EVs, drones, e-aviation) and Room Temperature Sodium-Sulfur (RT-NaS) for stationary grid storage. Beyond cell technology, Gelion offers turnkey Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) under its Integration Solutions division, monitored by a proprietary cloud-based battery monitoring system. The company operates through two key subsidiaries: Gelion Europe (UK-based lithium-sulfur R&D and solid-state prototyping) and Battery Minerals (UK-based lithium-ion recycling technology from Johnson Matthey). The company employs a capital-light, partnership-led commercialisation model, working with TDK Corporation, Nissan, QinetiQ, and others to accelerate market entry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Battery Minerals: Gelion's Li-ion battery recycling subsidiary developing sustainable recycling technology to recover lithium and critical metals from battery waste.
• NES™ (Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur)

Products and services

• Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur (NES™) Cathode Active Material Proprietary sulfur-based cathode active material using nanoconfinement technology to control sulfur behavior during charge and discharge. Designed as drop-in solution for existing lithium-ion and sodium-ion manufacturing lines, replacing strategic minerals like nickel and cobalt with abundant sulfur. Licensed to battery manufacturers.
• Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) Battery Platform High-energy-density battery technology platform for mobile applications including EVs, drones, and e-aviation. Uses NES™ cathode to achieve higher gravimetric energy density than conventional lithium-ion while reducing cost and improving safety. Achieved 402 Wh/kg energy density in 12 Ah cell with GEN 3 semi-solid-state technology.
• Room Temperature Sodium-Sulfur (RT-NaS) Battery Next-generation sodium-sulfur battery technology operating at ambient temperatures using nano-encapsulated sulfur cathode. Enables grid-scale energy storage with abundant, low-cost materials (sodium, sulfur, carbon) without the high-temperature requirements of conventional NaS batteries. Delivers 400+ Wh/kg energy density with drop-in compatibility for existing gigafactory infrastructure.
• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Integration Solutions Turnkey battery energy storage solutions for commercial, industrial and utility-scale applications. Systems are monitored by Gelion's cloud-based battery monitoring system and integrate state-of-the-art battery cells tailored to customer needs. Examples include 2x2MWh systems installed for Group Energy at Borg Group sites.
• Battery Minerals Recycling Technology Advanced hydrometallurgy recycling process for lithium-ion batteries, providing lower OPEX, lower CAPEX, less toxic waste, lower eCO2, and novel 'lithium first' extraction route. Achieves greater than 95% lithium recovery from waste analogues and greater than 80% from real-world black mass. Developed by Battery Minerals Ltd subsidiary at Imperial College London White City campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• 402 Wh/kg energy density achieved in 12 Ah cell with GEN 3 semi-solid-state Li-S technology
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Three-year CoRe-SoLiS (Cost-effective, Resilient Solid-state Li–S) project combining Gelion's NES™ cathode technology with Nissan's world-leading solid-state battery development capabilities. Total project cost £3.4 million with £2.4 million in grant funding from Innovate UK. £1.6 million awarded to Gelion's UK subsidiary. Project aligns with Nissan's EV36Zero programme centred on Sunderland manufacturing hub, targeting automotive solid-state battery applications.
• University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Partner in CoRe-SoLiS project providing world-leading expertise in solid-state battery science, advanced anode materials and cell-level integration. License to Oxford intellectual property through Oxford University Innovation relating to protective anode coatings for lithium metal anodes. Oxford's research capabilities combined with Gelion's NES™ technology and NTCE's automotive battery expertise.
• TDK CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025Multi-year collaboration agreement signed in October 2025 to develop and commercialise next-generation sulfur battery technology using Gelion's NES™ Cathode Active Material. TDK successfully manufactured initial pouch cells meeting preliminary performance expectations. Partnership aims to scale production toward gigawatt-hour levels, leveraging TDK's market dominance in drone batteries and consumer electronics. Expanded from initial collaboration to full partnership focused on pouch cell qualification within 12 months.
• University of NottinghamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Research laboratory at University of Nottingham for Gelion Europe with EPSRC Prosperity Partnership awarded to Gelion and Nottingham. £460,000 UKRI grant to advance solid-state separator and sulfur CAM technologies and establish solid-state pouch cell prototyping line. Exclusive rights to IP developed at University in catalytic materials for sulfur cathode efficacy.
• Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Strategic cooperation agreement signed March 2025 to develop high-power, high-cycle life sulfur batteries with high energy densities. Followed by exclusive commercial licence agreement with Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH in June 2026 for nano-encapsulated sulfur cathode technology and nano-confined anode materials. Professor Markus Antonietti (Director, MPI) appointed as Technology Advisor. Technology has exceeded expectations with significant advancements in energy density, power capability, and cycle life.
• CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Engaged with CPI as part of SCIMITAR programme supporting Battery Minerals' recycling technology development and commercialisation.
• GlencoresupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint Development Agreement signed 2024 with one of the world's largest globally diversified resource companies for battery technology development.
• IonbloxsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2023Joint development agreement signed November 2023 to create high-performance lithium-silicon-sulfur battery for EVs, eVTOL, and drones. Leveraging supply chains in Australia and US. Aimed at increased energy density, safety, and reduced costs.
• OXLiD (Acquired, now Gelion Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2023UK lithium-sulfur innovator acquired by Gelion for up to approximately £4.2 million. Acquisition established UK research hub and enhanced IP portfolio with seven patent families on solid-state and Li-S battery technologies. Renamed Gelion Europe Ltd in December 2025 as final step in post-acquisition integration.
• QinetiQcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration to advance energy storage solutions for demanding defence applications. OXLiD (now Gelion Europe) awarded £533,000 DRIVE35 funding facilitated by Advanced Propulsion Centre UK to scale and independently validate lithium-sulfur technology for Defence, Aerospace and Automotive applications. QinetiQ received GEN3 CAM samples and has produced initial pouch cells.
• Faraday InstitutionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023UK's independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research. Supported acquisition of OXLiD and provided valuable assistance ensuring robust IP position for Li-S technology. Active member of community developed around Faraday and LiSTAR (Lithium Sulfur Technology Accelerator).
• Group Energy (Borg Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023First commercial customer for Gelion's Integration Solutions business. Two 2MWh BESS installed at Borg Group sites in Somersby and Charmhaven near Sydney, Australia. 4 MWh BESS being delivered with approximately £780,000 revenue recognized upon completion of factory acceptance testing.
• Johnson MattheysupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Acquired lithium sulfur and silicon anode patent portfolio (including solid and liquid electrolytes, electrode formulation and battery materials recycling) from Johnson Matthey in March 2023. Combined with Gelion's existing IP to enhance path to product validation and commercialisation.
• University of SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Original sulfur cathode patent developed at University of Sydney. Gelion spun out of university in 2015, led by Professor Thomas Maschmeyer. University remains important investor and supporter with cost-effective access to laboratories and equipment. Polysulfide management additive work developed with university team.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lyten: US-based developer of lithium-sulfur batteries for EVs, aerospace, defence and grid storage. Closest direct competitor to Gelion in sulfur-based cell chemistry, with similar commercialisation stage and target markets.
• Zeta Energy: US-based lithium-sulfur battery developer using sulfurized carbon cathodes and lithium metal anodes. Competes directly with Gelion in automotive and grid-storage Li-S applications.
• Sion Power: Pioneer of lithium-sulfur battery technology for aerospace, defence and EV applications. Direct competitor to Gelion in sulfur chemistry, with a longer operating history but similar commercialisation profile.
• Solid Power: US-listed developer of sulfide-based solid-state batteries with a parallel interest in lithium-sulfur chemistries. Closely comparable to Gelion's solid-state Li-S roadmap targeting automotive qualification.
• QuantumScape: US-listed solid-state lithium-metal battery developer targeting automotive OEMs. Competes with Gelion for the same automotive solid-state opportunity, with materially greater capital resources.
• Ilika: UK AIM-listed solid-state battery developer (code IKA) for medical, automotive and IoT applications. Closest UK small-cap comparable to Gelion, with similar listing venue and scale.
• ProLogium Technology: Taiwan-headquartered solid-state lithium ceramic battery manufacturer targeting EV and consumer electronics OEMs. Competes with Gelion in next-generation cell formats and automotive qualification.
• Li-Cycle: NYSE-listed lithium-ion battery recycling company using hydrometallurgy to recover critical materials. Directly comparable to Gelion's Battery Minerals subsidiary for lithium and black-mass recovery.
• Faradion: UK-based sodium-ion battery technology developer (acquired by Reliance Industries in 2022). Closely comparable to Gelion's sodium-sulfur stationary storage positioning in non-lithium chemistries for grid applications.
• Fluence Energy: NASDAQ-listed global BESS integrator and energy storage technology provider. Direct comparable to Gelion's Integration Solutions BESS business, though operating at materially larger commercial scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GelionEnergy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gelionplc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gelion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gelion