Accelerating energy transition
The technology of LeydenJar ensures smaller, lighter, and better batteries than current ones. But also that they charge faster. These characteristics give electric cars a much greater range, smartphones need to be charged less frequently, and electric flying comes a step closer. With its innovative battery technology, LeydenJar aims to accelerate the energy transition.
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Greater storage capacity with pure silicon
To improve the energy density of batteries, the current battery technology, the lithium-ion battery, is not sufficient. The anode - the negative pole - is the biggest obstacle. This anode currently consists of copper foil, carbon, and graphite. LeydenJar still uses copper foil but replaces the graphite with silicon.
By making anodes from pure silicon, the storage capacity of batteries increases by 70 percent, and the CO₂ emissions of the production process decrease by 85 percent. As a result, the production of this technology is much cleaner. For example, the extraction of graphite has a great impact on the environment. In contrast, silicon is one of the most abundant resources on earth. The footprint left behind is much lower.
Pilot plant in Eindhoven
LeydenJar operates from two locations. In Leiden, there is a lab for making prototype Li-ion batteries based on silicon anodes. In Brainport Eindhoven, there is the pilot plant for the production of silicon anodes on an industrial scale. An excellent location, says LeydenJar CEO Christian Rood: “We can collaborate with many parties who have experience in this technology. It is also easy to find people with experience in these types of high-tech industrialization processes.”
Multiple investment rounds
BOM invested in LeydenJar at several points. In 2018, LeydenJar received a joint investment of €550,000 from the South Holland proof-of-concept fund UNIIQ, BOM, and private investor Energy Professionals. LeydenJar Technologies previously raised 22 million euros in an investment round in 2021. Existing investors, including BOM, also participated. With the funds, LeydenJar aims to further develop and scale the technology. In 2023, LeydenJar raised 30 million euros in a European investment round to build a new factory with a production capacity of 100 MWh for the production of the anodes. This will also be located in the Brainport region.
Since the first investment round, we have been involved with this innovative startup. We supported the management team of LeydenJar in establishing the right business and financing strategy.
Marc de Haas, Venture Developer at Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)
BOM Support
But BOM does more for LeydenJar, says Marc de Haas, Venture Developer at the Brabant Development Agency. “We have been involved with this innovative startup since the first investment round. We brainstormed with LeydenJar’s management team on various occasions about the right business and financing strategy. More BOM disciplines are involved in the development of LeydenJar. For example, the Ecosystem Development (ESO) team helped find grants, such as the National Groeifonds. The Foreign Investments team advised on the right location for the new factory and established the right contacts.”
Future
In marketing the technology, LeydenJar starts with the markets that have the least demands in terms of cost and lifespan: wearables and other special applications. The next step is consumer electronics. For this, a battery must be able to charge and discharge 500 times. LeydenJar's ultimate goal is the automotive industry and the storage of sustainable energy in homes.
This was the contribution of BOM in the LeydenJar case
Developing
- Guide the Management Team in developing the right business and financing strategy.
- Assist in finding subsidies, such as the Nationaal Groeifonds
Investing
- Providing capital in multiple funding rounds
Internationalising
- Advising on the right location for the new factory
- Introducing to the right contacts