Global law firm Clifford Chance has advised battery technology company Gelion Technologies on a joint development agreement with California-based next-generation energy company Ionblox.

Gelion and Ionblox plan to jointly develop high performance next-generation lithium silicon sulfur (LiSiS) cells for the global electric vehicle (EV), electrical vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) and drone markets, before progressing to the stationary energy storage market.

Lead partner Nadia Kalic said, “Energy supply volatility has brought the issue of energy storage and associated supply chains into sharp focus and the growth of the battery production and storage industry is critical to facilitating the global energy transition. We are delighted to be supporting Gelion on this strategic transaction with Ionblox, which will facilitate their joint efforts to innovate and create the batteries of the future whilst also leveraging Australian and US supply chains that do not rely heavily on nickel, cobalt or graphite.”

Nadia was supported by senior associate Dale Straughen and associate Lisa Jiang in Sydney. Partner Devika Kornbacher and associate Ricky Legg in Houston advised on the US and IP aspects of the transaction.

Based in the UK and Australia, Gelion is a global renewable-energy storage company focused on designing and manufacturing zinc hybrid and lithium sulfur based batteries. It is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

California-based battery technology company Ionblox develops high performance lithium-ion batteries with pre-lithiated silicon dominant anodes for ground and aerial electric vehicles.

Clifford Chance has deep sector expertise in the EV and EV battery sectors, having advised EV battery maker CALB’s US$1.3 billion Hong Kong IPO, EV maker Leapmotor on its US$807 million Hong Kong IPO and equity financing and strategic joint venture with Stellantis, and EV charging network provider JOLT on its fundraising transaction by BlackRock Real Assets.