1414 Degrees Signs LOI with Korean Battery Maker to Develop SiNTL Cells

Strategic Partnership Targets High-Performance Battery Markets

1414 Degrees Ltd (ASX:14D) has taken a significant step toward commercialising its silicon anode battery technology by signing a letter of intent with South Korean battery manufacturer JR Energy Solution (JRES). The collaboration aims to jointly develop electrodes and battery cells using 14D’s proprietary SiNTL material, focusing on demanding applications such as defence, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), space, and robotics.

JRES operates a substantial 79,200 m² battery manufacturing facility in Eumseong, South Korea, with plans to expand capacity through two additional 2 GWh electrode factories. This partnership provides 1414 Degrees with access to established electrode and cell manufacturing capabilities without the capital-intensive need to build its own production lines, accelerating the pathway from material development to scaled cell production.

Addressing Supply Chain Concentration in Strategic Sectors

Battery supply-chain concentration remains a critical issue for sectors like defence and aerospace, where reliability and security of supply are paramount. According to the International Energy Agency, over 80% of global lithium-ion batteries were manufactured in China as of 2025, with South Korea and Japan the only other countries with significant midstream battery industries. This partnership with JRES offers 1414 Degrees a foothold in Asia’s battery ecosystem, potentially diversifying supply for sensitive markets.

JRES has been expanding its foundry model beyond electric vehicles into specialised sectors including defence and robotics, where customers demand customised battery solutions rather than high-volume standardised products. This aligns with 1414 Degrees’ strategy to position SiNTL batteries in markets requiring high energy density and tailored performance.

Silicon Anode Market Set for Rapid Growth

The silicon anode battery market is forecast to surge from around US$0.4 billion in 2025 to an estimated US$25.8 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate exceeding 50%. This growth is driven by increasing demand for batteries with higher capacity and longer life, particularly in high-performance applications.

Within this context, 1414 Degrees and JRES will collaborate on developing and optimising electrode formulations, manufacturing test cells, and conducting performance assessments including capacity, cycle life, and energy density. These technical milestones are critical steps toward a definitive manufacturing agreement that could enable larger-scale production of SiNTL-based battery cells at JRES’s facilities.

Complementary Development Programs and Market Access

Beyond this partnership, 1414 Degrees continues to advance SiNTL development and scale-up at George Washington University. The company has existing agreements with Ukrainian drone manufacturer Energia-2000 and European space firms Orbit Boy and Space Industries, targeting UAV, defence, and satellite battery applications. The JRES collaboration could provide crucial electrode and cell manufacturing support for these programs, helping transition SiNTL from lab to market-ready batteries.

Dr Peter Yaron, 1414 Degrees’ Chief Technology & Operations Officer, emphasised the strategic value of the partnership: "Access to versatile electrode and cell manufacturing capability in South Korea gives us another option to support those programs and scale production as demand develops." Meanwhile, JRES CEO Duke Oh highlighted growing customer demand for high-performance batteries and diversified supply chains, particularly in defence and robotics.