Phenogy and HD Advanced Technologies to manufacture sodium-ion cells in Europe

Swiss company Phenogy AG and Germany’s HD Advanced Technologies, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, have entered into a strategic partnership. The companies intend to jointly develop and manufacture sodium-ion cells and complete energy storage systems in Europe.

Joint venture and division of responsibilities

Phenogy and HDAT plan to develop sodium-ion cells through a joint venture. As the companies stated in a press release, each party brings different expertise to the partnership.

Phenogy is responsible for sodium-ion cell chemistry and cell design, while Heidelberg contributes its specialized printing process.

Together, the partners cover the entire value chain, from research and development to industrial-scale cell production. This will enable them to create new cell formats tailored to specific design and performance requirements.

Work is already underway to put the necessary framework for the partnership in place. The joint venture will focus on demanding applications, including critical infrastructure, defense and mobility.

Energy storage system production

The second component of the partnership concerns manufacturing. Under a production agreement, HDAT will establish industrial production of cabinets, containers and other system products for Phenogy.

The partnership is based on a long-term framework agreement covering the entire value chain. Initially, it will apply to Germany and Europe. The companies plan to expand their operations to the United States in the future.

Production will be based on local supply chains. The companies will also draw on HDAT’s manufacturing and industrialization expertise.

European technology platform

The companies emphasize that the two agreements are fundamental steps toward building a European technology and industrial platform for sodium-ion technology. The platform will encompass cell chemistry, cell and system design, industrial manufacturing, and service and maintenance.

Peter E. Braun, CEO of Phenogy, said the partnership combines technology development with the capabilities needed to deploy it on an industrial scale. “Europe needs battery technologies to achieve genuine energy sovereignty,” Braun said. He added that the company supports the planned expansion of energy storage across Europe by supplying locally manufactured battery systems. The joint venture also opens up new applications for Phenogy’s sodium-ion technology.

Phenogy entered the European energy storage market in September 2025, when the company commissioned a megawatt-hour-scale sodium-ion energy storage system at a commercial facility in northern Germany.