Wildcat Discovery signs joint development agreement with BMW Group to speed next generation battery technology to the market

Rhea-AI Summary

Wildcat Discovery Technologies has entered into a joint development agreement with BMW Group to create a next-generation high energy cathode. This cathode, essential for Wildcat's 'supercell' battery, promises about 25% greater energy density compared to current options, without using nickel or cobalt, thus improving sustainability. The consortium includes Koch Disruptive Technologies and Eastman Kodak, and aims for commercialization in the coming years. This partnership builds on nearly a decade of collaboration in battery research, enhancing prospects for improved battery performance through large cell testing led by BMW.

Positive

• Collaboration with BMW enhances development speed and technical support.
• New cathode technology aims for 25% higher energy density, improving range for electric vehicles.
• Exclusion of nickel and cobalt aligns with sustainability goals.

Negative

• None.

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildcat Discovery Technologies, a global leader in accelerating battery innovation, today announced an agreement with BMW Group (BMW: DE) to jointly develop the next-generation Wildcat high energy cathode.

The Wildcat cathode, a key component of Wildcat's recently announced battery "supercell", will help car makers deliver greater driving range by achieving energy densities ~25% higher than the best cathodes in vehicles today. The novel Wildcat cathode contains no nickel or cobalt, which are viewed to be challenging in terms of sustainability as well as price volatility.

Beyond the joint development agreement with BMW, Wildcat's consortium of strategic partners also includes Koch Disruptive Technologies and Eastman Kodak, who along with BMW are contributing both financially and technically to the new cathode development effort. Wildcat, working with its development partners, plans to commercialize the new EV battery cathode material in the coming several years.

Mark Gresser, CEO of Wildcat stated "We're very excited to have BMW join our team of industry partners. Having BMW's financial and technical support on the project will help us commercialize more quickly and provide real-time customer feedback to the development process.  We have a strong group of contributors in place and are well positioned to introduce a step change in battery performance and sustainability."

This agreement builds on BMW and Wildcat's shared commitment to sustainable mobility. The two companies have a long relationship in battery research, based on nearly a decade of research collaboration projects, and will expand upon that work to co-develop the high-energy cathode. According to the agreement, BMW will lead the build of large battery cells to be used for performance and safety testing.

"After announcing our Gen6 cylindrical cell in September of 2022, we continue to work on future innovations in our battery technology. In this context, Wildcat's high-energy cathode is an important element of our roadmap for improved battery performance in the coming years. We are excited about the potential of this technology and the start of our joint development," said Peter Lamp, Head of Battery Cell Technology at BMW Group.

About Wildcat Discovery Technologies

Wildcat Discovery Technologies accelerates the discovery of new materials for energy applications, with a focus on the development of advanced materials for rechargeable and primary batteries. Wildcat's experienced team of scientists uses proprietary high-throughput tools to rapidly develop and optimize breakthrough materials, with corporate partners throughout the global battery and materials supply chains. Wildcat has also been named one of the "50 Most Innovative Companies" by Technology Review magazine. For additional information about Wildcat, visit us at www.wildcatdiscovery.com, or follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Jim Voeffray,
jvoeffray@wildcatdiscovery.com

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SOURCE Wildcat Discovery Technologies

FAQ

What is the joint development agreement between Wildcat and BMWYY?

Wildcat Discovery Technologies and BMW Group have signed a joint development agreement to create a high-energy cathode for next-generation batteries.

What are the benefits of the new Wildcat high energy cathode?

The new cathode promises approximately 25% higher energy density than existing options, which can enhance vehicle driving range.

When will the new battery technology be commercialized?

Wildcat aims to commercialize the new EV battery cathode material in the coming several years.

How does the Wildcat cathode contribute to sustainability?

The Wildcat cathode contains no nickel or cobalt, making it a more sustainable choice for battery production.

Who are the partners involved in the Wildcat and BMWYY collaboration?

Other partners in the collaboration include Koch Disruptive Technologies and Eastman Kodak.