HD Advanced Technologies and PHENOGY Team Up to Build European Sodium-Ion Battery Storage Platform

Wiesloch, Germany – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (HEIDELBERG), a global technology company and solutions provider for the printing and packaging industry, is entering industrial battery storage manufacturing through its subsidiary HD Advanced Technologies (HDAT), joining forces with Swiss storage developer PHENOGY to build a European value chain for lithium- and cobalt-free sodium-ion technology.

According to the International Energy Agency, the three largest countries accounted for 96 percent of global lithium refining capacity in 2024, while the three largest producing countries held a 77 percent share of mining output. Amid heightened geopolitical tensions and recent export restrictions, sodium-ion batteries are increasingly viewed by researchers and industry as a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology that is less dependent on critical raw materials and supply chains.

Manufacturing Agreement: HDAT to Produce in Germany, Later in the U.S.

HD Advanced Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of HEIDELBERG with expertise in defense, security, and energy, will handle the industrial manufacturing of complete battery energy storage systems for PHENOGY AG, headquartered in Root near Lucerne, Switzerland.

The long-term framework supply agreement covers the entire value chain, from procurement and production of cabinets, containers, and other system products through rollout, installation, service, and maintenance. Production is initially planned in Germany for the European market, with manufacturing in the United States for North America to follow. PHENOGY, founded in 2019, has operations in Root near Lucerne, Bremen, South Carolina, and Singapore.

Joint Venture in the Works: PHENOGY Cell Chemistry Meets HEIDELBERG Printing Technology

In parallel, the two companies are laying the groundwork for a joint venture to develop and industrially manufacture sodium-ion battery cells. PHENOGY is contributing its cell chemistry and cell design, while HEIDELBERG is providing a specific printing process from its own technology base. Together, the partners intend to cover the full spectrum from research and development to industrial-scale cell manufacturing, including the development of new cell formats with specific design and performance requirements. The planned joint venture will focus on high-requirement applications such as critical infrastructure (KRITIS), defense, and mobility.

Strategic Context: Sovereignty as a Shared Goal

The sodium-ion technology used does not require lithium or cobalt and is based on widely available raw materials, which is expected to structurally reduce dependence on critical raw materials and supply chains. PHENOGY CEO Peter E. Braun placed the partnership in this context: "Europe needs battery technologies to achieve true energy sovereignty. Our partnership with HEIDELBERG finally bridges the gap between technology development and the capabilities needed to make these technologies available on an industrial scale." HDAT CEO Michael Wellenzohn pointed to the complementary roles of the two partners: "As a manufacturing partner, we are bringing PHENOGY's stationary energy storage systems into series production. Together with PHENOGY, we are creating a European technology and industrial platform for sodium-ion battery technology."

By combining established manufacturing expertise with new cell chemistry, HEIDELBERG and PHENOGY are positioning themselves within a regulatory environment in which the EU, through its Critical Raw Materials Act, aims to reduce dependence on individual supplier countries for critical raw materials and expand its own mining, processing, and recycling capacity by 2030. Whether the groundwork laid will actually result in a joint venture remains open at this stage.

Source: IWR Online, 26 Aug 2026