Dutch Company's New Factory to Help Increase Battery Densities

­A Dutch startup just announced its first factory to help produce what could be the future of batteries.

The startup, Eindhoven-based LeydenJar, is “enabling the world’s most powerful batteries with radical silicon anodes.” Replacing graphite anodes with silicon anodes – which can store 10x the amount of lithium ions as the alternative – would take up a lot less space and increase the energy storage dramatically.

In turn, this could allow for more robust batteries, longer electric vehicle ranges, and more sustained battery lifetimes. Considering that batteries are the priciest parts of EVs – and their early failure could cancel out any long-term energy savings – this is huge news.

The company’s pure silicon anode is supposedly features 70% higher energy density than traditional anodes. Their “unique and patented dry production process works with pure silicon. The result: anodes made of break-proof silicon and exceptional energy storage capabilities with significantly reduced volume and weight – up to 10x thinner.”

Their new “PlantOne” facility, set to open in 2026, will occupy part of the 270-meter-long ‘’TX’’ building at Strijp-T, formerly a Philips manufacturing facility. And once it’s up and running, it should be good for an annual capacity of 70 MWh pure silicon anode foil, supposedly enough for four million smartphone batteries, and one would hope it’ll eventually be a boon for EVs.

“The commissioning of PlantOne will unlock a wealth of opportunities to foster a greener, more innovative future for the Netherlands and Europe,” the company notes in its press release. “The climate change impact of anode production is minimized, and the electrification of our society is accelerated through record-high energy density.”