Ilika (AIM: IKA) the UK pioneer in solid state battery technology has announced the signing of a framework agreement with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in support of its scale-up of the Goliath solid state pouch cells.

Solid state battery technology has the potential to transform the performance and safety of consumer devices and electric vehicles over the next ten years addressing issues such a range, charge time and fire safety.

Ilika, one of Europe’s foremost developers in this sector, has received matched funding via Innovate UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge fund to allow them to work in collaboration with UK based automotive OEMs.

The initial UK funding created a new lab scale facility for Ilika in Romsey, Hampshire which is soon to be expanded to 10kWh/week capacity. However, elements of the development are best exercised on equipment at far larger scale.

UKBIC is a pioneering, publicly funded battery production development facility, which can be accessed by any organisation with existing or new battery technology – if that technology will bring green jobs and prosperity to the UK. The facility covers the whole production process from electrodes to cell, module and pack assembly.

“It is important at this stage of the Goliath pouch cell programme that we iterate more rapidly and with access to some elements of full scale line equipment. This will shorten our pathway to industrialisation” added Graeme Purdy, Ilika CEO.

“It is important that the UK develops its own intellectual property surrounding solid state technology and we are delighted to be able to support the Ilika pouch cell development programme” said Jeff Pratt, Managing Director UKBIC.