Europe's Battery Future: Altris & Draslovka Forge Sodium-Ion Supply Chain

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – January 15, 2026 – In a landmark move poised to reshape Europe's energy landscape, Swedish sodium-ion battery developer Altris and global specialty chemicals leader Draslovka have announced a strategic partnership to establish the continent's first industrial-scale sodium-ion battery cathode value chain. The collaboration, cemented by a 19.3 million EUR in-kind investment from Draslovka, will see the conversion of an existing production line at Draslovka's facility in Kolín, Czech Republic, to produce Altris's patented cathode active material (CAM).

Slated to begin production in late 2026, the facility is projected to supply up to 350 tonnes of CAM annually, equivalent to approximately 175 MWh of sodium-ion cell capacity. This initiative represents a critical step in Europe's quest for technological sovereignty and a more resilient energy storage ecosystem, providing a tangible, Western-controlled alternative to the continent's heavy reliance on imported lithium-ion battery components.

A Strategic Push for European Autonomy

The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment as the European Union aggressively pursues strategic autonomy in critical technologies. Policies like the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Net-Zero Industry Act underscore a concerted effort to onshore vital supply chains, reduce dependence on a handful of international suppliers, and mitigate geopolitical risks associated with materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

The Altris-Draslovka venture directly addresses these strategic imperatives. By creating a fully integrated production capacity within the EU, it localizes a crucial segment of the battery value chain. This move not only diversifies Europe's battery technology portfolio but also insulates it from the price volatility and supply chain vulnerabilities that have plagued the lithium-ion market.

“This alliance exemplifies how Altris is building a European sodium-ion value chain with leading industrial partners,” said Christer Bergquist, CEO of Altris, in a statement. “Europe is no longer waiting for sodium-ion to mature elsewhere – we are industrialising it here, with Western manufacturing and Western supply. It reflects our strategy to focus on what we do best: delivering world-class cathode material that supports a more resilient European battery supply.”

By leveraging sodium, an element abundantly available worldwide, the project sidesteps the resource bottlenecks of lithium-ion batteries. This alignment with EU policy is designed to accelerate the green transition by ensuring a stable, domestic supply of materials for the burgeoning energy storage and electric mobility sectors, helping the bloc meet its ambitious goal of producing at least 40% of its clean technology needs by 2030.

The Promise of Prussian White Technology

At the heart of this venture is Altris's proprietary cathode material, a form of Prussian White. This advanced material is engineered to offer a compelling blend of performance, safety, and unprecedented sustainability. Unlike conventional battery chemistries, Altris's cathode is produced from abundant and conflict-free raw materials, including salt, wood, iron, and air, drastically reducing its environmental footprint and cost.

Altris has reported a capacity of 160 mAh/g for its material, enabling a sodium-ion cell with a validated energy density of 160 Wh/kg. This places its performance on par with the widely used Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, making it a commercially viable solution for a vast range of applications. While not matching the highest-end lithium-ion cells in energy density, sodium-ion technology is exceptionally well-suited for stationary energy storage, where cost, safety, and cycle life are more critical than minimizing weight. This includes grid-scale systems to balance renewable energy, backup power for data centers, and residential storage.

Beyond stationary storage, the technology is being targeted for affordable mobility, such as e-bikes and two-wheelers, as well as low-voltage automotive applications. A key advantage is its enhanced safety profile. The Prussian White chemistry, combined with Altris's patented fire-retardant electrolyte, offers excellent thermal stability, significantly reducing the risk of thermal runaway and fire—a persistent concern in the battery industry.

Draslovka's Calculated Pivot to Green Tech

For Draslovka, this partnership marks a significant strategic diversification. Traditionally a powerhouse in specialty chemicals for the mining and agricultural sectors—best known as a leading producer of sodium cyanide—the company is now making a decisive entry into the high-growth battery materials market. This move leverages its deep expertise in chemical process engineering and its existing industrial infrastructure.

By converting a current production line at its Kolín plant, Draslovka is employing a capital-efficient strategy that promises a rapid time-to-market. This circumvents the lengthy and costly process of building a new facility from the ground up. The 19.3 million EUR in-kind investment not only funds this conversion but also grants Altris long-term access to Draslovka’s licenses and process know-how, creating a deeply integrated partnership.

“This exciting partnership with Altris is an important milestone for Draslovka, as we continue strategically investing in concrete opportunities to leverage our world class expertise in chemistry and sustainable technology,” commented Pavel Brůžek, CEO of Draslovka. “By establishing a fully connected value chain production capacity in Europe, we are in a position to deliver high-quality sodium-ion solutions without relying on external links in the chain.”

This pivot allows Draslovka to reposition itself as a key enabler of Europe's green transition, expanding its portfolio into a sector with immense future potential while capitalizing on its core competencies in chemical manufacturing.

Building a Competitive European Ecosystem

The Altris-Draslovka initiative is a foundational piece in a broader European effort to build a competitive sodium-ion ecosystem. While global giants like China’s CATL are also heavily invested in sodium-ion, a growing cohort of European players, including TIAMAT in France and Litona in Germany, are advancing their own technologies. However, this partnership's move to establish industrial-scale production sets a new benchmark for the region.

The annual output of 350 tonnes of CAM from the Kolín facility is a tangible first step, providing a crucial supply for cell manufacturers and signaling to the market that European sodium-ion technology is ready to scale. As production ramps up in late 2026, the project will serve as a powerful catalyst, potentially attracting further investment and fostering collaboration across the entire battery value chain—from raw material processing to cell manufacturing and recycling. This industrial-scale commitment moves sodium-ion from the laboratory to the factory floor, marking a decisive moment in Europe's journey toward a secure and sustainable energy future.