GELN Gelion Plc

26 February 2025

Gelion plc

("Gelion", "Company" or the "Group")

Successful Grant of three LiS Patents in the U.S.

Gelion (AIM: GELN), the Anglo-Australian battery innovator, is pleased to announce the successful award of three patents in the United States in relation to the Group's core Lithium-Sulfur (LiS) technology and the acceptance of one of its recycling patent applications by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Gelion continues to actively pursue, focus, and strengthen its Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio in accordance with its IP Strategy. Gelion's IP strategy includes an ongoing review and assessment of its IP portfolio, of both registered (e.g. patents) and unregistered (e.g. know-how, trade secrets) IP rights to ensure that the Group's IP portfolio continues to align and best protect the key areas of its technology as it matures, with a goal to develop a strong IP portfolio while delivering value for its shareholders.

LiS patents granted

Gelion has successfully advanced several patent applications pertaining to its core LiS technology, including the granting of three cases in the United States since July 2024. These three patents provide protection in the U.S. for different aspects of the Group's technology and align directly with its roadmap, protecting key advancements that contribute to:

·      enhancement of cycling performance and extension of cell lifespan;

·      improvement of cathode structural integrity, leading to greater cycling stability; and

·      enablement of one-step manufacturing of single- or double-sided electrodes.

These grants further strengthen Gelion's comprehensive LiS IP portfolio, which now includes over 200 patents and patent applications across 44 families, covering anode, cathode, electrolyte, battery design/manufacturing, and battery management ensuring end-to-end protection across the entire Li-S battery value chain.

Recycling patent application accepted

In parallel, Gelion continues to pursue its recycling IP portfolio, with one application recently being accepted in the United States. This application outlines an approach for improving the purity of high-value metals (e.g. nickel, cobalt) recovered from the waste batteries by providing a method for the removal of iron impurities.

The Group expects progression of the application in the U.S. will strengthen applications in other major markets, including Europe and China, in line with Gelion's IP strategy to have broad protection of its IP portfolio in key markets globally.

Gelion is currently developing its recycling technology with funding support from the UK government, and continues to explore commercialisation opportunities, including securing independent funding in accordance with its strategic plan.

Gelion's Recycling IP portfolio now includes 9 patent families (with cases both granted and under examination).

Gelion CEO John Wood said: "Gelion's scientists and engineers are diligently advancing our leadership in Sulfur battery technology as we unlock its full potential. Securing the confidence of our supply chain partners is essential as commercialisation progresses, particularly regarding IP rights. To achieve this, we leverage both our internal expertise and world-class advisors.

"Patent grants serve as a testament to our innovation, and we actively develop, review, and refine (including consolidation of areas where we assess value does not merit cost) our portfolio to maximise and concentrate value. Our focus remains on building a high-quality IP portfolio that strengthens our commercial objectives."

CONTACTS

About Gelion

Gelion ("gel: ion") is a global energy storage innovator, supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy by commercialising two globally important next generation technologies: Lithium-Sulfur (LiS) and Zinc-based (Zn) hybrid cells to electrify mobile and stationary applications. Gelion plc (the Group) is listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market and wholly owns Australia based Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd and UK based OXLiD Ltd. Gelion is designing and delivering innovative battery technologies and integrated systems solutions to enable that transition and return value for its customers and investors.

Lithium Sulfur

Gelion's effort is directed at the potential for the Li-S chemistry to deliver double the gravimetric energy density of standard Lithium-ion chemistries whilst concurrently reducing cost and increasing safety, targeting the EV and e-aviation market, helping to make global transport, energy consumption and storage more sustainable.

Gelion is developing a GEN 3 Lithium Sulfur cell product for its high energy density sulfur cathode at its expanded R&D facilities in Australia and UK, enabling it to integrate with a variety of anodes ranging from graphite to silicon to lithium metal, depending on the targeted application.

Gelion's GEN 3 cell is unlocking the potential of sulfur batteries for a wide range of global mobile applications including electrical vertical-take-off-and-landing (eVTOL), drone markets, electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage (ESS).

Advantages of Gelion's GEN 3 Lithium Sulfur

·       High energy density - Energy density > 400 Wh/kg, when using a 10+ Ah pouch cell.

·       Semi-solid-state / Solid-State as a route to increased longevity/cycle life: GEN 3 employs a semi-solid-state and solid-state mechanism which mitigates the major degradation factor associated with conventional Li-S technology.

·       Increased sulfur utilisation: GEN 3 demonstrates the full theoretical capacity of sulfur, i.e. a much higher sulfur utilisation than found in conventional Li-S approaches.

·       Simplified supply chain: The innovative cathode is produced by mixing commercially available materials with abundant sulfur using a low-energy, room-temperature process, with potential to eliminate the need for pre-fabrication of the sulfur composite (sulfur composite is related to cathode active material in conventional lithium-ion batteries), streamlining the associated supply chain and production process and enabling localised manufacturing.

·       Environmental and economic benefits: The water-based, standard-atmosphere cathode production process eliminates the need for toxic solvents, leading to significant cost savings and enhanced manufacturability.

Glossary

Zinc

Gelion is adapting its zinc technology to comprise an alternate cathode technology, a zinc hybrid cell to develop complementary next-generation batteries for the lead-acid eco-system. Early testing indicates that this solution has the potential to maintain good energy density levels with enhanced cost and safety aspects. Once fully developed, Gelion intends for our zinc technology to provide a durable and sustainable market extension within the ecosystem that supports lead-acid batteries.

Recycling

Gelion is pioneering an innovative battery recycling technology designed to enhance and supplement current recycling methods. Our technology aims to significantly reduce the initial costs of recycling plants, minimize waste, and lower carbon emissions, while improving the purity of metal products and enabling efficient lithium extraction. This advancement will allow for a broader range of scrap materials to be recycled. Currently in the feasibility stage, Gelion is committed to advancing our technology to a pilot-scale demonstration, paving the way for commercialisation through material production and IP licensing.

Integration

Gelion leverages its significant integration and BMS capability to deliver bespoke BESS for Australian customers. These BESS are currently based on lithium-ion technology and will also include Gelion's next-generation batteries as these become available. Gelion will deploy BESS with our proprietary cloud-based battery monitoring system, which will provide real-time diagnostics and alerts to maximise performance and return on investment for our customers.