German startup theion, a company specializing in sulfur battery technology, recently announced that it has raised 15 million euros ($16.4 million) from investors to support the scaling of its innovative battery cells. These new battery cells are claimed to provide significantly improved energy storage while costing considerably less than the conventional lithium-ion batteries that currently power electric vehicles (EVs).

The Series A funding round was spearheaded by Team Global, a prominent technology holding company, along with the Geschwister Oetker Beteiligungen group and German renewable energy firm Enpal. According to theion, their sulfur battery technology boasts triple the energy density of traditional lithium-ion batteries. In addition to this remarkable energy efficiency, theion's batteries are said to cost only one-third as much and produce just one-third of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with lithium-ion alternatives.

Ulrich Ehmes, CEO of theion, expressed confidence in the company's innovative battery technology, explaining that its potential applications are wide-ranging. Theion's sulfur batteries could power electric vehicles, flying taxis, and various energy storage solutions. In theory, Ehmes believes these advanced battery cells could be integrated into electric vehicles operating on the road before the decade's end.

Ehmes explained that theion has already achieved success in developing small coin cell batteries. With the newly acquired funding, the company now aims to focus on developing larger pouch cells, which are essential for delivering the power required to operate EVs or even electric aircraft. Developing pouch cells is a critical step in scaling the company's technology to meet the demands of commercial transportation and storage solutions.

"We are closely monitored by automotive companies, stationary energy storage firms, and players in the electric aerospace sector," Ehmes stated. "Everyone is eagerly awaiting our first pouch cells because coin cells alone are insufficient to support aircraft power needs."

Theion is among several startups in both Europe and the United States attempting to make significant advancements in sulfur battery technology. Historically, sulfur battery cells have presented two major challenges: they tend to corrode quickly and are prone to "breathing," a process where battery expansion results in the destruction of battery packs. These issues have long hindered the commercial viability of sulfur batteries.

However, Ehmes asserts that theion has successfully overcome these obstacles by implementing two key innovations. First, theion uses crystalline sulfur, which effectively prevents corrosion. Second, the company has developed a method to pre-expand the battery's cathode, addressing the expansion problem that has traditionally plagued sulfur battery designs.

With these technical breakthroughs, theion is optimistic about advancing its sulfur battery technology into mainstream applications. The company’s progress represents a potentially transformative step in battery innovation, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative for the rapidly evolving electric transportation and energy storage markets.