3ME Technology has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with South 8 Technologies to collaborate on the development of lithium-ion battery solutions designed for extreme cold-weather and Arctic defence operations.
Announced on February 25, 2026, in Newcastle, NSW, the agreement outlines a framework for integrating South 8’s LiGas®-enabled cells into 3ME’s EdgeVOLT Cold Weather Variant battery system.
The companies said the collaboration will also explore broader product opportunities, with an initial focus on defence applications requiring portable and ultra-safe power in austere environments.
Under the LOI, South 8 will supply LiGas battery cells at production scale. The cells are designed to operate between -60°C and +60°C.
3ME will integrate the cells into its EdgeVOLT battery systems, which are expected to be deployed in extreme environments, including sustained Arctic conditions.
According to 3ME Technology, conventional lithium-ion batteries can experience significant energy loss and increased safety risks in sub-zero climates.
The companies stated that LiGas technology enables discharge and recharge across a wide operating range, addressing operational requirements such as mission endurance, communications reliability and silent watch capability.
“3ME is at the forefront of defence and mobile power electrification,” said Justin Bain, CEO of 3ME Technology.
“We are seeing a clear shift in defence posture toward operations in colder and more extreme environments. Our EdgeVOLT systems are already supporting warfighters with deployable power where reliability is critical, and this collaboration with South 8 positions us to accelerate the development of an extreme cold-weather battery capability that sets a new benchmark for safety and performance.”
Jungwoo Lee, CEO of South 8 Technologies, said the LOI reflects “a shared commitment to advancing energy storage for the most demanding operating conditions across the ANZUS, AUKUS, and NATO alliances.”
“LiGas enables a new level of cold-weather performance, and we look forward to unlocking next-generation capabilities across critical defence and commercial platforms alongside 3ME,” Lee said.
The companies said they will also explore joint development and commercialisation opportunities aligned with evolving defence requirements, leveraging the wide temperature operating range of South 8’s LiGas cells to deliver deployable, mission-ready power solutions.
