Integrals Power is conducting external cell-level testing of its UK-produced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material at the University of St Andrews. Early results show specific capacity above 153mAh/g, which the Milton Keynes company says matches leading Chinese equivalents at competitive cost, using only European and North American raw materials.
Integrals Power, the Milton Keynes-based battery cathode developer, is conducting external cell-level testing of its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material in collaboration with the University of St Andrews.
The programme is designed to validate the electrochemical performance and reliability of the company’s sustainably produced iron phosphate precursor, with the aim of demonstrating that a Western-manufactured material can match Chinese-produced equivalents, which currently account for around 90% of global production, without a cost premium.
Using facilities at the University of St Andrews, the teams have assembled early-stage battery cell prototypes that pair Integrals Power’s LFP cathode material with standard commercial anodes and a liquid electrolyte. The cells are being run through hundreds of cycles, with testing focused on capacity retention, rate capability and long-term cycling stability.
Results to date show specific capacity of more than 153mAh/g, which the company says places its material on a par with leading Chinese LFP cathode materials at a competitive price.
According to Behnam Hormozi, founder and chief executive at Integrals Power, independent validation is central to commercial adoption.
“The battery industry has long been told that matching Chinese LFP performance from a Western supply chain is an ambition rather than a reality. This collaboration with the University of St Andrews is about converting that ambition into independently verified evidence within one of the most credible testing environments available,” says Hormozi. “Cell testing is the foundation on which commercial confidence is built. By working with a world-class academic institution and using its advanced facilities to rigorously evaluate our materials, we can provide customers and partners with the impartial, technically robust data they need to make procurement and qualification decisions with confidence.”
The company says early-stage cell testing provides the foundational electrochemical dataset needed for subsequent scale-up to larger multi-layer pouch or prismatic cell formats, with the academic setting intended to lend the results independent scientific credibility.
Integrals Power produces its cathode material at its UK pilot plant in Milton Keynes, using raw materials sourced exclusively from European and North American suppliers. The company says its UK-based process provides full supply chain transparency, mitigates geopolitical risk, and supports the UK’s net-zero ambitions, including the 2030 target for phasing out the sale of new combustion engine vehicles.
The programme forms part of a broader effort to build an evidence base addressing both technical and commercial due diligence requirements as Western governments and automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seek to reduce dependency on Chinese battery supply chains.
