Sila Nanotechnologies

Sila Nanotechnologies (Sila) has developed a silicon-based anode that replaces graphite in conventional lithium-ion batteries, allowing manufacturers to use the new material without needing to change the battery manufacturing process or equipment. In April 2019, Sila claimed that its technology could improve the energy density of lithium-ion batteries by around 20%. 

In May 2022, Sila purchased a 600,000+ sq ft facility in Moses Lake, Washington to build a manufacturing facility. Initially, Sila will deliver anode material sufficient to power 10 GWh of battery cells when used as a full graphite replacement or up to 50 GWh of cells when used as a partial replacement. This would be sufficient to produce batteries for up to 100,000–500,000 EVs and 500 million mobile phones annually. Production at the facility is expected to commence in 2H 2024 to reach full production by 1H 2025. The company states that the facility has the potential for further expansion to reach the capacity to power 150 GWh of battery cells when used as a full graphite replacement or 750 GWh as a partial replacement—enough to power 2 million–10 million EVs per year.

Key customers and partnerships

Sila has yet to commercialize its technology but the company has formed partnerships with automakers such as BMW and Daimler to produce battery material for their next generation of EVs. In December 2023, Sila partnered with Panasonic Energy to provide next-generation nano-composite silicon anode material from the latter’s EV lithium-ion batteries.

Funding and financials

In October 2022, Sila was awarded a USD 100 million grant by the US Department of Energy to develop a 600,000+ square foot facility in Moses Lake, Washington, and scale manufacturing of its silicon anode materials. In January 2021, Sila raised USD 590 million in a Series F round, which was to be used to build its new factory.