Hungary could soon gain global recognition in the field of battery manufacturing as production of a new Hungarian-developed battery anode may begin in the coming years, according to researchers speaking on the Blue Planet podcast hosted by former Hungarian President János Áder.
The episode featured a discussion between Áder, who serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation, and Ádám Vida, research and development director at the Bay Zoltán Research Centre. Their conversation focused on a newly developed anode material known as Onli, which can be used in lithium-ion battery cells.
The discussion was recorded at the Planet Budapest Sustainability Expo at the Hungarian Railway History Park, where the technology was also presented. According to Vida, the development represents the culmination of 13 years of research and has now reached the stage where industrial production can begin.
Vida, who also serves as managing director of the developer Edortech Ltd, explained that conventional lithium-ion battery manufacturing relies on powders produced by anode and cathode material manufacturers. These powders are mixed with binders and solvents before being applied to metal foils that form part of the battery cell.
However, the thermal conductivity of these metal foils is relatively poor, which can cause problems during fast charging. If heat cannot be properly managed within the battery system, the cell may degrade prematurely and the risk of fire can increase.
The Hungarian technology takes a different approach. Instead of relying on traditional materials, researchers have created an anode electrode made from a tin-based alloy that is electrochemically deposited onto a copper strip. This process significantly improves both thermal and electrical conductivity compared with conventional solutions.
The production process is also designed to be environmentally friendly. According to Vida, the manufacturing method does not require adhesives or chemical solvents, uses no water, and relies on materials that can all be sourced within Europe. Despite these advantages, the cost of the new anode could remain close to that of graphite, which is currently the most widely used anode material, while delivering performance characteristics similar to the far more expensive silicon-based alternatives.
Another major advantage is its energy storage capacity. Compared with graphite, the Onli anode can store significantly more charge. Vida described the improvement as being somewhere between double and ten times the capacity of traditional materials.
The technology may also simplify battery manufacturing. Because the process does not require the adhesive-based coating used in traditional production, manufacturers can avoid the heat-treatment step normally required after coating, which consumes large amounts of energy and water.
Beyond electric vehicles, the technology could also be used for large-scale energy storage systems, such as storing electricity generated by solar panels or wind turbines. According to Vida, the improved storage capacity could provide similar benefits in these applications.
In recent months, the development team has begun cooperating with several international companies, including partners in the United States, Germany and Türkiye. Vida said discussions have even taken place with Tesla.
Following the technology’s presentation at Planet Budapest, the company received more than 40 additional inquiries from potential partners and industry stakeholders.
When asked when the technology might appear in commercially available batteries, Vida said that sales could begin around the middle of 2027, while full industrial-scale production is expected to start by the end of 2028.
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