Altris, a Swedish sodium-ion battery developer, entered into a strategic partnership with Draslovka, a global leader in speciality chemicals, to establish Europe’s first industrial-scale sodium-ion cathode value chain. Through this collaboration, the two companies aim to accelerate commercialisation of sodium-ion battery technology while strengthening Europe’s control over critical battery materials.
Strategic Investment to Enable Rapid Scale-Up
Draslovka will make a €19.3 million in-kind strategic investment in Altris. The funding will support the conversion of an existing production line at Draslovka’s facility in Kolín, Czech Republic, for manufacturing Altris’ patented sodium-ion cathode active material (CAM). By repurposing existing infrastructure, the partners will achieve a faster time-to-market while maintaining a capital-efficient approach to scaling production.
Up to 350 Tons of Cathode Material Annually
Once fully ramped up, the Kolín production line will be capable of supplying up to 350 tonnes of sodium-ion CAM per year. This output represents a European-controlled supply equivalent to approximately 175 MWh of sodium-ion cell capacity. In addition, the agreement secures Altris long-term access to Draslovka’s licences, process expertise, and a jointly developed plant design. This access strengthens the technological foundation of the partnership.
Production Timeline Targets Late 2026
Progress on the project is advancing rapidly. The partners plan to begin production in late Q3 or early Q4 of 2026, marking a key milestone in Europe’s sodium-ion battery industrialisation efforts. At the same time, the collaboration lays the groundwork for future capacity expansion at the Kolín site as market demand grows.
Supporting Europe’s Shift Beyond Lithium
BatteryIndustry.net reports that the partnership comes as Europe steps up efforts to localise battery material supply chains. It also aims to reduce reliance on lithium-only technologies. By producing sodium-ion CAM domestically and preparing for larger-scale capacity, Altris and Draslovka aim to deliver a resilient, Western-based alternative to imported battery materials. The approach supports a more balanced and diversified European battery ecosystem while enhancing supply chain security.
Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance
Pavel Brůžek, CEO of Draslovka, described the partnership as a significant milestone in the company’s strategy. He said it reflects Draslovka’s commitment to leveraging its world-class chemistry expertise and sustainable technology capabilities. The goal is to deliver high-quality sodium-ion solutions within a fully connected European value chain.
Christer Bergquist, CEO of Altris, emphasised that the alliance demonstrates Europe’s readiness to industrialise sodium-ion technology domestically. According to him, Altris is focused on building a European sodium-ion value chain with leading industrial partners. The company aims to deliver world-class cathode materials that strengthen the resilience of Europe’s battery supply.
