Clarios is further expanding its R&D presence in Europe as part of a new sodium ion battery partnership in Romania with automotive engineering company Piaxo.

The partnership was announced on September 30, just a few weeks after the US-based battery giant stepped up its Na ion battery tech partnership with Sweden’s Altris to start pilot-scale and small-series production in Slovakia.

Cooperation with Piaxo will centre on the Romanian firm’s high-tech engineering complex and test lab in Timișoara, although both companies will maintain their separate organisations and have distinct roles and responsibilities.

The Timișoara centre supports R&D projects in areas such as battery management systems for next-generation energy storage systems including Na ion and lithium ion batteries, as well as inverter and supercapacitor technologies essential for modern vehicles and safety-critical applications.

Clarios said Piaxo continues to expand its engineering organisation at the centre and now employs nearly 50 engineers.

Ion Petic, Piaxo’s CEO, said the partnership creates opportunities for his company’s engineers to contribute to globally relevant engineering work, build specialised expertise and collaborate with international engineering teams on increasingly complex technology programmes.

Batteries International reported earlier this year that Clarios, which owns the VARTA Automotive brand, continues to invest in its mainstay lead acid business.

In August, the company confirmed a major deal to source low-carbon lead for its battery manufacturing plants in Europe, the Middle East and Africa from Swedish mining and metals company Boliden.