Energy technology company Anthro Energy and lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnPower Inc. have signed a long-term, multi-phase partnership agreement to develop high-performance lithium-ion battery cells in the U.S.

The partnership aims to establish “a fully domestic pathway from advanced electrolyte chemistry through finished cell production” in the U.S., representatives from Anthro Energy say. The new battery cells will support defense applications, according to the firms, as well as robots, autonomous systems, and “physical AI” like self-driving vehicles and robotic arms.

The companies expect the partnership will create a fully integrated battery cell stack for the U.S., addressing industry-wide concerns of foreign dominance from companies like China and South Korea. Adrian Yao, CEO and founder of EnPower, says his firm is in a strong position to fully commercialize American batteries thanks to the newly-formed joint effort.

“As one of the only end-to-end domestic cell makers right-sized for defense and critical infrastructure markets, EnPower is strategically positioned to serve as an integrator of domestic battery technologies and a vector for rapid commercialization,” Yao says. “Anthro is an excellent example of this, and we are excited to augment our platforms with advanced electrolytes to deliver on a wide variety of customer needs.”

Reindustrializing the U.S.

The companies’ master memorandum of understanding “establishes a structured framework” for the two firms across their workflows, Anthro Energy officials say. Anthro currently has plans to establish the U.S.’s first large-scale, American-owned and operated advanced electrolyte manufacturing facility. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the site will sit just two hours’ drive away from Enpower’s Indianapolis factory.

Under the terms of the collaboration, the two battery firms will develop high-performance pouch cells and further cell designs, targeting safety, high energy output, and specialty high-power capabilities for large-load applications.

David Mackanic, CEO and co-founder of Anthro Energy, says the partnership hopes to bring about changes in the U.S.’s industrial landscape as a whole.

“This partnership is about reindustrializing American manufacturing and rebuilding a domestic battery supply chain for the next generation of energy storage,” he says. “Through this partnership, we are integrating a paradigm-shifting battery platform with U.S. manufacturing capabilities to accelerate commercialization and deliver high-performance energy solutions for defense, robotics, and autonomous systems.”

The eventual site will anchor both companies to their commitment to onshore battery manufacturing, officials say, and help secure a fully domestic cell production ecosystem.

Tags: Anthro Energy, batteries, BESS, EnPower Inc., manufacturing, storage