Executive summary 

Germany-based energy research institute Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a silicon-carbon composite for lithium-ion battery anodes through its four-person ESILIB team. The Enhanced Silicon-Carbon Composites for Lithium-Ion Batteries researchers showcased the innovation at the “From Lab to Market Challenge” in Leverkusen, finishing second.

The composite combines metallurgical silicon with a biomass-derived carbon source instead of using gaseous silane compounds. It is designed to replace conventional graphite gradually in battery anodes. The silicon content offers greater storage capacity, potentially extending electric vehicle range by up to 40% without increasing costs.

Silicon expands while a battery is charging, which can accelerate material degradation. The ESILIB team has therefore developed a material architecture intended to counteract rapid wear and support industrial use. Its manufacturing process uses an aqueous method that does not require corrosive or other aggressive chemicals.

The researchers state that the composite could cost less than silane-based anode materials. Its constituent materials and production inputs can also be sourced entirely through a European supply chain. The combination of metallurgical silicon, biomass-based carbon and aqueous processing is intended to provide an alternative to conventional graphite and silane-derived materials.

Laboratory testing of the silicon-carbon composite has been completed. The team is now preparing the material for testing by battery manufacturers in the European Union, and several companies have expressed interest. The source does not identify these manufacturers or provide a timetable for their evaluations.

A total of 49 German teams entered the From Lab to Market Challenge in 2026. Twelve teams have progressed through the initial rounds and showcased their projects in Leverkusen on June 25. The event centred on industrial transformation involving defossilization, secure raw-material supplies, and quicker decision-making enabled by artificial intelligence.

Three winning teams were selected by a panel of experts and the event participants. CHEManager awarded a separate prize following an online reader vote. Chemstars, a Düsseldorf-based startup initiative of the chemical industry, has organized the competition since 2022.

Dr. Lukas Dold, ESILIB team leader, said the material is expected to support an increase of up to 40% in electric vehicle range while keeping battery costs unchanged.