Li-S Energy Limited has announced the completion of Australia’s first lithium foil production line, marking what the company described as a major milestone in advancing the nation’s manufacturing capability for critical battery materials.
According to Li-S Energy, the installation and integration of a new lithium foil roller and laminator at its 2MWh production facility in Geelong, Victoria, completes the establishment of what the company claims is the country’s first lithium foil manufacturing line.
In a news release, the company said this development strengthens Australia’s sovereign capability in the production of advanced battery components.
Li-S Energy reported that during commissioning, its team successfully produced Australia’s first 20-micron lithium foils – around one-fifth the thickness of a human hair – as well as lithium-coated copper laminate foils.
The company said the new line allows for precise control of foil thickness, purity, and surface quality, reducing reliance on imported materials and enhancing performance for both lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries manufactured in Australia.
“Achieving consistent 20 µm lithium foil with integrated rolling, laminating and coating is a major step in capability for Li-S Energy,” said Chief Technology Officer Dr Steve Rowlands.
“Tight thickness control enables us to push Li-S cell energy density and performance while accelerating design-for-manufacture at scale. We can now iterate cell designs faster with customers and deliver production-grade materials to other development programs around the world.”
Li-S Energy stated that the project was supported by a $1.78 million Industry Growth Program grant, which played a key role in enabling the new sovereign manufacturing capability to be developed.
The company added that work is now underway to further enhance the production line to automate coating lithium foils with its proprietary Li-nanomesh™ nanomaterial composites, aimed at improving performance, safety, and cycle life for advanced battery chemistries.
“Sovereign domestic manufacturing capability is critically important for Li-S Energy and for Australia,” said CEO and Managing Director Dr Lee Finniear.
“Our new lithium foil production line gives us a strategic opportunity to supply high-quality Australian-produced lithium foils and lithium-copper laminates to battery development companies and research institutions in Australia and around the world.”
The content of this article is based on information supplied by Li-S Energy Limited. For more information, please refer to the official company announcement and communications from Li-S Energy. Please consult a licensed and/or registered professional in this area before making any decisions based on the content of this article.
