Advano

Advano aims to replace graphite-based lithium-ion battery anodes with recycled silicon from semiconductor or solar panel manufacturing. Advano states that this would increase the density of lithium-ion batteries, making them smaller, longer-lasting, and more cost-effective, improving the battery performance in EVs, grid storage, and consumer electronics.

Advano states that lithium-ion batteries produced using its silicon-based anode would have a gravimetric energy density of around 350 Wh/kg compared to 250–270 Wh/kg of the highest-density graphite-based battery solutions (around a 40% performance improvement) and would cost around USD 90/kWh as of January 2021.

In January 2024, ADVANO launched its Specialty Pilot Plant in New Orleans, Louisiana. The facility intends to start production immediately and commercialize during the first half of 2024. 

Funding and financials

The company’s last funding was a January 2020 Series A round that raised USD 18.5 million. The proceeds were to be used to complete the construction of a 20,000-square-foot facility in New Orleans with the capacity to manufacture 10 tons of silicon-based anode material annually.