Rethinking Batteries: Raw material sovereignty and a boost to innovation for Europe
With BMFTR funding, start-up theion and partners advance new generation of lithium-sulphur battery cells - resource-efficient, powerful and scalable
The LiSSy (Lithium-Sulphur Synergies) research project was officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting in Berlin on 15 July 2025. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the ‘B@TS’ funding guideline and with a total project budget of EUR 5.3 million, of which EUR 4.13 million is funded, the three-year project aims to further develop a new generation of lithium-sulphur battery cells – resource-efficient, powerful and scalable. The ‘B@TS’ funding guideline pursues the overarching goal of enabling innovations in the field of battery technologies, creating the necessary expertise in science and industry, networking stakeholders synergistically and transferring the concepts generated into application.
Launch of ‘LiSSy’: German Federal Ministry BMFTR funds research project on lithium-sulphur batteries
theion GmbH
Business and science: interdisciplinary team with complementary skills
theion GmbH
‘LiSSy’ focuses on an alternative to conventional lithium-ion technology and is researching the usability of the industrial by-product sulphur for batteries. The project team will create a knowledge pool that brings together the expertise and insights of the various stakeholders and will work towards clearly defined milestones in regular workshops.
Team composition and competencies
Led by theion GmbH, ‘LiSSy’ brings together four partners from industry and science with complementary competencies: theion GmbH, QuanteQ GmbH, Fraunhofer ISIT (FAB-SH) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. theion coordinates the consortium and contributes its patented technology for sulphur crystallisation, the development of high-performance sulphur cathodes and the design of scalable cell architectures. The aim is to realise lithium-sulphur cells with high energy density for various applications. QuanteQ specialises in compact and powerful laser systems. In the project, it contributes its expertise in laser applications for material processing and cell activation. Fraunhofer ISIT complements the project with its comprehensive expertise in cell characterisation, post-mortem analysis and recycling. The focus is on evaluating performance and ageing behaviour as well as strategies for recycling the materials used. The Helmholtz Centre Berlin contributes state-of-the-art operando analysis methods to the project. Using synchrotron radiation and other advanced methods, reaction processes are investigated in real time – such as the formation of polysulphides, the development of interfaces or the growth of dendrites on the lithium anode.
The project goal: raw material sovereignty and a boost to innovation for Europe
LiSSy aims to develop high-performance, safe and scalable lithium-sulphur cells – with energy densities of over 500 Wh/kg and the use of abundant, sustainable materials such as sulphur and lithium. The technology deliberately avoids critical raw materials such as cobalt and nickel, thereby strengthening Europe's raw material sovereignty. At the same time, it promotes knowledge exchange and thus Europe's innovative strength.
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The topic world Battery Technology combines relevant knowledge in a unique way. Here you will find everything about suppliers and their products, webinars, white papers, catalogs and brochures.