14 July 2025

Gelion plc

("Gelion", "Company" or the "Group")

Partner Grant Funding and Commissioning of Solid-State Pouch Cell Prototyping Line

Gelion (AIM: GELN), the global energy storage innovator, is pleased to announce updates in its solid-state battery programme, including the award of partner grant funding and the commissioning of a solid-state pouch cell prototyping line which is expected to be fully operational by September 2025.

Grant Funding and University of Nottingham Partnership

Gelion's UK subsidiary OXLiD Ltd has entered into a partnership with the University of Nottingham, leveraging its expertise in solid-state and interfacial science to accelerate the commercialisation of Gelion's solid-state separator and sulfur-based cathode active material (CAM) technologies. This collaboration is supported by a £460,000 grant awarded to the University of Nottingham by the EPSRC Prosperity Partnerships programme from UKRI (www.ukri.org). The funding will be used to optimise Gelion's solid-state separator and sulfur CAM technologies and to establish a prototyping line for solid-state pouch cells, expected to be operational by September 2025.

Professor Darren Walsh, University of Nottingham: "The University of Nottingham has partnered with Gelion plc on an EPSRC-supported Prosperity Partnership that will accelerate the development of solid-state batteries, a promising next-generation technology that could transform electric transportation in cars, aircraft and ships.

"Gelion's aim is to build a solid-state sulfur battery that can tolerate hundreds/thousands of charge/discharge cycles, while retaining its high energy-storage capacity, a critical step in the move towards widespread electrification of transportation."

UK Science Minister, Lord Patrick J Vallance, said: "These partnerships show the range of real-world challenges the UK's world-class research base is helping to tackle - from cutting carbon emissions in heavy transport, to improving access to life-saving medicines."

"By backing scientists to work hand-in-hand with industry, we're combining cutting-edge research with business expertise to turn science into practical solutions that can make a difference in people's daily lives."

John Wood, Gelion's CEO, commented: "This tight collaboration across our OXLiD team and the University of Nottingham and the commissioning of the solid-state prototyping line is enabling Gelion to support our exceptional scientists to develop expertise and IP at the very front edge of high-performance battery chemistry by combining our leadership in sulfur cathode technologies with the new capabilities opened by solid-state cell technology. Through its acquisitions, research and collaborations, Gelion is developing a formidable stance in sulfur battery chemistry just as it is emerging commercially."

Commissioning of Solid-State Pouch Cell Prototyping Line

The solid-state pouch cell prototyping line, located in Nottingham, UK, is being progressively commissioned and is expected to be fully operational by September 2025. The facility will include all necessary equipment to optimise and scale up the production of Gelion's solid-state separator and to manufacture full solid-state pouch cells. It will serve as a platform for prototyping, custom formulations, and rapid iteration in battery development.

Additionally, the facility will feature a cell testing centre, which will be accessible to potential offtake partners for the testing and validation of Gelion's solid-state technologies.

This project will accelerate the development of Gelion's products for solid-state battery technologies and will support Gelion's activities toward establishing and building collaboration with tier 1 solid-state battery manufacturers.

Gelion's Global Strength in Sulfur and Solid-State Battery Technology

With this collaboration in place, Gelion has built robust global capability through strategic partnerships with leading institutions focused on advancing sulfur battery technology in liquid, Semi-Solid-State and Full-Solid-State configurations. Gelion's global network of renowned research and commercial partners positions it at the forefront of battery innovation, leveraging deep expertise and advanced facilities across Europe and Australia.

Progress in Solid-State Battery Programme

Gelion's recent validation of a novel solid-state separator and the pairing of its sulfur-based cathode with solid-state electrolyte announced in November 2024 and February 2025 respectively, marks a major step toward low-cost, scalable solid-state batteries. At scale, sulfur-based CAM are expected to be less than 12% of the cost of nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), the current standard for solid-state Li-ion batteries. The use of sulfur CAM is anticipated to significantly reduce costs and enhance the commercial viability of solid-state battery solutions.

These developments position Gelion as a "low-cost enabler" of solid-state batteries.

CONTACTS

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation No. 596/2014, which forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

About Gelion

Gelion ("gel: ion") is a global energy storage innovator, supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy by commercialising globally important next generation battery technologies: Sulfur based, Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S), Sodium-Sulfur (Na-S) and Zinc-based (Zn) hybrid cells to electrify mobile and stationary applications and battery recycling technology.

Gelion plc (the Group) is listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market and wholly owns UK based OXLiD Ltd and Battery Minerals Ltd and Australia based Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd.  Gelion is designing and delivering innovative battery technology to enable that transition and return value for its customers and investors.

In addition, Gelion is also delivering commercial Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects through its Integration Solutions business.

Sulfur Batteries

Gelion's effort is directed at the potential for sulfur-based cathode active materials (CAMs) to deliver low-cost & sustainable batteries with compelling performance. In the case of Li-S batteries, the target is a high-performance light-weight battery for the EV and e-aviation market. In the case of Na-S batteries, the target is an ultra-low-cost advancement on batteries currently employed in the stationary storage and economy EV market. The company's overarching goal is to help make global transport, energy consumption and storage more sustainable.

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