ZNL Energy and HPB Sign Letter of Intent for Strategic Supply of Advanced Separator Material for Solid-State Battery Industrialization

The LOI marks an important step in the strategic collaboration between the two companies and confirms HPB’s intention to designate ZNL as a preferred separator supplier and anchor partner for the HPB Solid-State Battery cell production.

Under the LOI, the parties foresee an initial procurement volume of ZNL-NPx separator material scaled to HPB’s Authorized Manufacturers industrialization ramp, subject to successful product qualification and the execution of a definitive supply agreement. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2028.

ZNL-NPx is a non-porous, fire-retardant separator material engineered for next-generation lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state battery applications. The technology is designed to address key battery requirements including safety, cycle life, energy density and European supply chain resilience.

Within the HPB Solid-State Battery, the two technologies are complementary. HPB’s inorganic HPB Solid-State Electrolyte (HPB SSE) is cast into the cell with solid and liquid educts and then cures into the solid, ion-conducting core (“liquid input, solid output”). The ZNL-NPx separator’s role is threefold: during the initial, still-liquid formation stage it prevents short circuits between the electrodes; its very low material thickness — significantly thinner than the glass-fabric separator previously used — frees space for additional electrode pairs within the same cell and thereby increases capacity; and it improves handling in series production.

HPB has developed a proprietary inorganic solid-state electrolyte (HPB SSE), the ion-conducting core of its HPB Solid-State Battery, built on more than 30 years of fundamental research, with patent protection across 96 countries. The company is advancing industrial-scale rollout of its HPB Solid-State Battery cells for high-growth markets including charging infrastructure and stationary home and commercial energy storage.

Joint testing conducted since 2024 has demonstrated HPB Solid-State Battery cells incorporating the ZNL-NPx separator sustaining already more than 4,500 charge-discharge cycles with 1C/1C at room temperature, alongside improved manufacturability and energy density compared with incumbent separator solutions.

Benjamin Ferstad, CEO of ZNL Energy AS, said:

“Signing this Letter of Intent with HPB is an important commercial and strategic milestone for ZNL Energy. HPB’s Solid-State Battery is highly complementary to our ZNL-NPx separator technology, and this LOI represents a clear step from technical validation toward industrial collaboration and future commercial supply.”

Dr. Sebastian Heinz, CEO of High Performance Battery Technology GmbH, said:

“We see ZNL’s separator technology as an important component in the production of HPB Solid-State Battery cells. The collaboration supports our ambition to scale a differentiated European battery solution where safety, performance and supply chain integrity are decisive factors.”

The parties share a long-term ambition to support the development of a fully European solid-state battery value chain. HPB Solid-State Battery cells are targeted for industrial-scale rollout, with a long-term ambition of multi-GWh annual production capacity. In parallel, ZNL is scaling separator manufacturing capacity in Europe to support future demand.

About ZNL Energy AS

ZNL Energy AS is a Norwegian battery technology company developing advanced separator solutions for next-generation battery applications. The company’s ZNL-NPx separator material is designed to improve battery safety, cycle life, manufacturability and performance across lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state battery platforms.

About HPB (High Performance Battery Technology GmbH)

HPB, based in Bonn, Germany, develops proprietary inorganic HPB Solid-State Battery technology for stationary and mobile applications. HPB’s technology is built on more than 30 years of fundamental research and is being commercialized through a worldwide licensing model for markets, production, and the use of the HPB SSE for automotive battery development.

Media Contact

HPB – High Performance Battery Technology GmbH, Bonn:

info@highperformancebattery.de, highperformancebattery.de

ZNL Energy AS, Norway:  

Marcus Andreas Olsen, mao@znlenergy.com +47 48488089