January 11, 2024: Clarios is partnering Swedish sodium ion cathode material and cell technology developer Altris to develop batteries for the automotive industry.

The companies said on January 8 they will work on low-voltage battery solutions for vehicles including hybrid electrics and EVs.

Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Lead and lithium manufacturing giant Clarios said the collaboration aims to develop a sodium ion battery with a potential of up to 60V to support automotive applications in new vehicles and for aftermarket replacements that can also complement a multi-battery low-voltage system configuration.

While lead batteries represent the best example of a circular economy worldwide and lithium-based products continue to evolve, Clarios said its chemistry agnostic and circular approach is of strategic importance.

Federico Morales-Zimmermann, VP and general manager at Clarios for global customers, products and engineering, said the company had extensive experience with low-voltage systems in the auto sector and would play a leading role in defining and optimizing sodium ion cells.

The company said sodium ion batteries are inherently sustainable and easy to recycle, made from salt, wood, iron, and air.

In 2022, Clarios announced it was teaming up with Natron Energy to manufacture what they said would be the world’s first mass-produced sodium ion batteries.