Syensqo, the Belgian chemicals company spun out of Solvay, has partnered with France’s Axens to launch Argylium, a new company dedicated to developing and scaling up the commercial demonstration of advanced materials for solid-state batteries in Europe.
Axens is part of the IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) Group. While IFPEN is a French public research and training organisation focused on energy and transport, Axens acts as a leading technology provider for cleaner fuels and petrochemicals, commercialising IFPEN’s innovations for industrial applications.
Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as one of the most promising technologies for the next generation of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. By replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials, they offer enhanced safety, higher energy density, and the potential for faster charging.
Building on Syensqo’s successful operation of a solid-state battery pilot line in La Rochelle, and more than a decade of technology development at its Aubervilliers (Paris) laboratory, Argylium will focus on accelerating the industrialisation of next-generation sulphide solid electrolyte materials for all-solid-state batteries (ASSB).
Argylium combines Syensqo’s expertise in advanced materials with Axens’ strengths in process design, industrial scale-up, and global operation of inorganic chemistry plants, complemented by IFPEN’s know-how in inorganic chemistry and divided oxide and sulphide materials at its Lyon research centre.
“The creation of Argylium represents an important step toward bringing solid-state battery materials to market readiness,” said Thomas Canova, Head of R&I at Syensqo. “By joining forces with Axens and IFPEN, we are increasing the likelihood of successfully scaling up our pilot innovations and advancing Europe’s electrification and energy storage ambitions.”
Fabrice Bertoncini, Executive Vice President for New Development and Transformation at Axens Group, added: “With more than 50 years of experience in scaling technologies to commercial levels, and in partnership with IFPEN, our collaboration with Syensqo aims to build a robust European ecosystem for the commercialisation of solid electrolytes by 2030.”
Argylium is expected to strengthen collaboration with leading European research institutions, automotive OEMs, advanced battery manufacturers, and energy technology partners, supporting innovation and accelerating market readiness.