Battery
Himadri-backed Sicona secures AUD 45 million ARENA funding to commercialise next-gen battery tech
The facility will manufacture Sicona's proprietary SiCx silicon-carbon anode material, aimed at improving the performance of batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems
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By ICN Bureau | July 08, 2026
Himadri Speciality Chemical-backed Sicona Battery Technologies has secured AUD 45 million in funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), in a major boost to the commercialisation of its advanced silicon-carbon anode technology for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
The funding, awarded under ARENA's Battery Breakthrough Initiative, will support the construction and operation of a commercial-scale demonstration facility at BlueScope Steel's Port Kembla precinct in New South Wales.
The facility will manufacture Sicona's proprietary SiCx silicon-carbon anode material, aimed at improving the performance of batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
The project marks a significant milestone in Sicona's commercialisation journey and strengthens Himadri's strategic push into the global advanced battery materials market. Himadri invested in Sicona as part of its long-term strategy to expand its presence across the clean energy and battery value chain, complementing its investments in lithium-ion battery materials and specialty carbon products.
According to ARENA, Sicona's technology has the potential to increase lithium-ion battery energy density by up to 20% while enabling charging speeds up to 40% faster than conventional graphite anodes. The silicon-carbon anode material has also been designed to integrate into existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing infrastructure, allowing manufacturers to adopt the technology without significant changes to production lines.
The demonstration facility is expected to validate Sicona's proprietary manufacturing process at commercial scale while producing qualification samples for global battery manufacturers and electric vehicle OEMs. Successful validation is expected to pave the way for future offtake agreements and large-scale commercial deployment.
The funding comes amid growing global efforts to strengthen domestic battery supply chains and accelerate the development of critical battery materials as electric vehicle adoption gathers pace. For Himadri, the development underscores the strategic value of its investment in emerging battery technologies and supports its ambition to build a global presence in advanced materials for the clean energy transition.
