Air Energy

What Air Energy does

Air Energy Entwicklungs GmbH & Co KG designs, prototypes, and manufactures custom lithium-ion battery packs and the associated battery management electronics, with operations headquartered in Aachen, Germany. Founded in 1992 and active in Li-Ion technology since 2003, the company employs 11–50 staff and positions itself as a specialist for applications where off-the-shelf battery solutions are inadequate — including manned and unmanned aviation (eVTOL, electric aircraft, gyrocopters, gliders, solar aircraft), maritime (AUV/ROV), rail and ground transportation, robotics, and industrial drones.

The core technology stack comprises custom lithium-ion cell integration, proprietary battery management systems (BMS) developed continuously since 2003, and specialized welding processes: copper TIG welding on cylindrical cells (18650, 26650) for low-resistance high-current connections, and aluminum laser welding co-developed with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) supporting up to 60 C charge/discharge rates. Flagship technical achievements include 260 Wh/kg energy density on Solar Impulse II (Kokam cells), 90% state-of-charge in 90 seconds at 300 kW via an LTO-based ultra-fast-charge battery tested at RWTH Aachen, and the EIS-integrated BMS module for predictive cell-degradation analytics. Reference products include Smart Batteries for drones (with >500 units/year), High-Voltage battery systems with CCS fast-charging, and a modular battery concept (SiFlA, up to 800 V / 80 kWh / 240 kW peak).

The business model combines one-time hardware sales of custom packs (drone batteries, aviation batteries, traction batteries for the FlexSBus-LR rail bus), prototyping and engineering services, and standalone service revenue from copper and aluminum welding contracts. Pricing is not publicly listed; the company runs an enterprise field-sales motion driven by direct technical consultation (phone, email) and demonstrations at industry events such as AERO Friedrichshafen, selling on a custom quotation basis. Customer engagement is typically multi-year, with delivery ex-works from Aachen and customer-arranged logistics. The company is privately held and founder-owned, with no disclosed institutional funding or acquisition history.

Name

Air Energy

Legal name

Air Energy Entwicklungs GmbH & Co KG

Website

https://airenergy.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Air Energy Entwicklungs GmbH & Co KG is a German, founder-owned specialist that designs and manufactures custom lithium-ion battery systems and proprietary BMS for aviation, eVTOL, maritime, rail, and drone applications where off-the-shelf packs are inadequate. The Aachen-based firm delivers prototypes through small-series production, supported by in-house copper TIG and aluminum laser welding capabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Lithium-Ion Battery Systems

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Battery Pack Manufacturing & Module Assembly (EUAFABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Battery Electronics (IMAGAHAC), Battery Management Systems (BMS) & Pack Electronics Manufacturing (EUAFABAJ), Battery Packs & Energy Storage for Micromobility Manufacturing (IMACAOAE)

Keywords

• Custom lithium-ion battery systems
• Battery management systems
• High-voltage battery engineering
• Electric aviation batteries
• Battery prototyping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Battery System Design and Manufacturing: Air Energy designs, prototypes, and manufactures custom lithium-ion battery packs for specialized applications. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales, with offerings spanning concept and prototype development, initial sample creation and commissioning, through to small-series production.
2. Prototyping and Development Services: Engineering development services for custom battery systems, including concept design, validation, and integration support. Customers are involved in the development process to the depth they prefer.
3. Smart Battery and BMS Products: Sale of Smart Batteries for UAVs, multicopters, and wing drones, featuring proprietary BMS platforms with customizable base software. Also includes chargers and diagnostic devices.
4. Welding Services: Contract welding services for copper connectors on cylindrical cells and aluminum connectors, using TIG and laser welding processes. Offered as a standalone service to external customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Air Energy designs, prototypes, and manufactures custom lithium-ion battery packs and high-voltage battery systems for specialized applications in aviation, maritime, rail, and robotics sectors. The offering spans custom Smart Batteries with proprietary Battery Management Systems (BMS), high-voltage battery systems with CCS-charging capability, prototyping and small-series production services, and specialized welding services (copper TIG and aluminum laser welding) for cell connectors.

Product overview

Air Energy Entwicklungs GmbH & Co KG is a development-oriented company founded in 1992 specializing in custom lithium-ion battery systems. The core product portfolio includes Smart Batteries for UAV and industrial applications with integrated BMS, high-voltage battery systems with CCS-charging capability, and custom prototyping services. Supporting services include copper welding on cylindrical cells (TIG process for high-current applications), aluminium cell connector welding (via Fraunhofer ILT partnership), and Battery Management System development. Key product modules include EIS-BMS with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for predictive aging analysis, ultra-fast charge batteries using LTO technology (400 kW charging), and a modular battery concept for aircraft electrification. The company serves aviation, maritime, automotive, and robotics sectors with solutions ranging from concept development to small-series production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 260 Wh/kg energy density in Solar Impulse II batteries
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 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

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Solar ImpulsecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Air Energy has been a specialized partner for the battery system of Solar Impulse solar aircraft since 2006. The partnership began with Solar Impulse I (HB-SIA) and continued through Solar Impulse II (HB-SIB), which completed the first round-the-world solar flight in 2016. Air Energy developed ultra-lightweight batteries achieving 260 Wh/kg energy density, accounting for approximately 25% of the aircraft's take-off weight. Nine of eleven FAI world records in the solar aircraft category were achieved using Air Energy batteries.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT)coreTechnology or IntegrationCooperation with Fraunhofer ILT for the development of aluminum cell connector welding technology. This proprietary process enables high cross-sections with small thermally sensitive contact areas while maintaining mechanical flexibility for high-power battery applications with up to 60 C charge/discharge rates.
• RWTH Aachen University (ISE A, WZL, IKA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research network partnerships with multiple RWTH Aachen institutes including ISEA (Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives), WZL (Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering), and IKA (Institute for Automotive Engineering). Collaborations include testing (FlexSBus-LR at 350 kW CCS charging), battery development cycles (KMUProduction.NET), and manufacturing process optimization.
• TU ChemnitzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration within the ZIM project for EIS-BMS development, where TU Chemnitz's Professorship of Measurement and Sensor Technology contributed to the integration of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy into battery management systems.
• Garrecht Avionik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the SiFlA project developing a modular battery concept for aircraft electrification. Garrecht Avionik contributed avionics integration expertise for the e-Genius research aircraft, with Air Energy responsible for the modular battery system and charging technology.
• University of Stuttgart (IFR and IFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborators in the SiFlA project, providing flight mechanics, flight control (IFR), and aircraft construction (IFB) expertise for the e-Genius electric aircraft integration. The project developed a modular battery concept to enable various aircraft types to be electrified with reduced costs and development time.
• Kautex Textron GmbH & Co KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium leader for the EU-funded RESiLiTE project (07/2025–06/2028) developing next-generation battery systems with improved energy density, efficiency, thermal performance, and fire protection for automotive and aviation applications. Air Energy contributes cell welding and final battery pack assembly.
• RWTH AachencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the EU-funded RESiLiTE project, contributing academic expertise in battery systems research and development alongside Air Energy's manufacturing capabilities.
• University of LjubljanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the EU-funded RESiLiTE project contributing to the development of new generation battery systems.
• INOVA+ Innovation Services SAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInnovation services partner in the EU-funded RESiLiTE project, providing project coordination and innovation management support.
• AutoGyrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman gyrocopter manufacturer that partnered with Bosch Aviation to develop the eCavalon, the world's first fully electric gyrocopter. Air Energy delivered the battery system meeting ambitious weight and power requirements, with a swappable battery design for training operations.
• Bosch Aviation GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the eCavalon electric gyrocopter project, collaborating with AutoGyro on the electric drive system and safety concept. Worked with Air Energy engineers to create a well-tuned electric powertrain with comprehensive safety coverage.
• IBG Automation GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomation partner in the KMUProduction.NET project (NRW-funded), responsible for semi-automatic production line development for electric vehicle battery systems using StreetScooter as the demonstration vehicle.
• STAC GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject partner in KMUProduction.NET, contributing to the development of product and production process for battery systems.
• StreetScooter GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric vehicle manufacturer whose StreetScooter served as the demonstration vehicle for the KMUProduction.NET battery development cycle project, exploring connections between product development and production process for EVs in NRW.
• Fachhochschule Aachen (FH Aachen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences Aachen, partner in the research network contributing to battery technology development and education in the Aachen region.
• Dufour AerospacecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSwiss aviation company developing tilt-wing VTOL aircraft. In October 2023, Air Energy was selected as battery system supplier for the Aero2 hybrid-electric VTOL, providing the housing, battery modules, and battery management system. This is a critical safety component requiring high performance during take-off, landing, and absolute reliability during hover.
• Electra.aerocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUS aviation company developing the Electra EL-2 Goldfinch hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft. Air Energy developed and manufactures two high-performance batteries with proprietary BMS, individually tailored to the aircraft's requirements for high reliability and performance during take-off and landing phases.
• VolocoptercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGerman pioneer in Urban Air Mobility and eVTOL aircraft. Since 2017, Air Energy has supplied batteries for the Volocopter 2X air taxi and VoloDrone logistics drone, with air-cooled quick-swappable battery systems demonstrated globally at Helsinki, Singapore, and Stuttgart.
• KokamminorOthersKorean cell manufacturer that supplied lithium-ion cell technology for Solar Impulse batteries, achieving energy densities of 243 Wh/kg (HB-SIA) and 260 Wh/kg (HB-SIB) through specially developed cell specifications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• H55: Swiss e-aviation battery startup developing electric propulsion battery systems for aircraft, with similar focus on aviation-grade Li-ion packs and BMS. Highly comparable niche and target customer base (electric aircraft OEMs).
• Customcells: German custom Li-ion cell and battery pack manufacturer with similar B2B focus on specialized applications, prototyping, and small-series production for aviation, automotive, and medical sectors.
• Voltabox: German manufacturer of custom battery systems for industrial, mobile, and traction applications, with comparable B2B engineering approach and focus on specialty/niche use cases.
• Leclanché: Swiss Li-ion battery pack manufacturer focused on e-mobility, marine, and specialty applications including railway. Comparable product portfolio spanning custom packs, BMS, and integrated systems.
• BMZ Group: German-based custom Li-ion battery pack manufacturer serving e-mobility, industrial, and storage applications with similar engineering services and prototype-to-production capabilities.
• LION Smart: German battery technology developer specializing in custom Li-ion battery packs, BMS development, and prototype/small-series production - directly comparable technical capabilities and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Saft (TotalEnergies): French battery manufacturer (TotalEnergies subsidiary) producing aviation-grade Li-ion battery systems with broader product portfolio across space, defense, and industrial markets - direct competitor in aviation batteries with greater scale and capital backing.
• EnerSys: US-listed industrial battery manufacturer with broad portfolio including motive power, aerospace/defense, and specialty lithium batteries - an incumbent competitor in aviation batteries with significantly greater scale.
• EaglePicher Technologies: US-based manufacturer of batteries and power systems for aerospace, defense, and aviation, with established position in aviation battery systems serving comparable aircraft OEM customers.

Emerging players

• KULR Technology Group: US battery safety and thermal management company with focus on aerospace and e-mobility applications, offering complementary battery technology solutions including carbon-fiber thermal interfaces.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Air Energy