Limatech inaugurates its battery production site
July 11, 2024 – The Limatech startup has reached a new milestone in its development with theinauguration of its first lithium battery production plant in Voreppe, near Grenoble, France, at a cost of 10 million euros. This new 1,200 m2 industrial site will house 3 production lines, with the ambition of producing 10,000 batteries a year by 2030.
On this occasion, we welcomed Mr Laurent Simplicien (Secretary General of the Isère Prefecture and Grenoble Sub-Prefect), Mrs Vanina Paoli Gagin (Senator for Aube), Mr Julien Polat (VP of the Isère Departmental Council), Mrs Martina Cimarosa (EIC) and Mr Luc Rémond (Mayor of Voreppe).
Beautiful developments
Founded in 2016, Limatech is a deeptech industrial startup developing innovative lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology batteries to accelerate the energy transition in aviation. These are 3 times lighter, 2.5 times more efficient and last 2.5 times longer than the battery technologies currently used in the aerospace industry. Limatech has registered 12 patents. The company is a double winner of the France 2030 “First Factory “* and “Batteries” calls for projects, and a winner of the European Innovation Council (EIC) H2020 program.
In early 2023, the first ground tests were carried out on Beechcraft aircraft, demonstrating that Limatech batteries deliver 150% more power density than competing or existing solutions. This represents huge potential savings for the industry.
In April 2023, Limatech obtained Part 21G approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), following an audit by the French Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Organisme pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile). This production approval, held by fewer than 500 companies worldwide, now authorizes Limatech to manufacture lithium batteries for commercial aviation.
A global logistics distributor and a new round of financing in the pipeline
The factory is already operational, with a production line employing 10 people, and Limatech’s aim is to be able to offer its batteries to aircraft manufacturers by early 2025. With an initial production output of 500 units per year, the implementation of two new production lines will enable us to reach over 30,000 units per year by 2030.
Pending final certification of the batteries in the second half of 2024 by the European authorities (ETSO – European Technical Standard Order), the startup can already count on the support of OEMServices to distribute its batteries. OEMServices is a leading provider of equipment, logistics and ad hoc services for airlines and original equipment manufacturers, founded by Diehl Aerospace, Liebherr Aerospace, Thales Avionics and Safran Aerosystems.
To finance new research programs and support its entry into the market, Limatech is preparing to raise a further 20 million euros, part of which – between 2 and 3 million euros – is currently being raised via crowdfunding.
The word of management
“After nearly 8 years of development, 2024 marks a decisive turning point for Limatech. Thanks to this plant, which was custom-built to meet our needs, we are able to ready to go to start marketing our batteries. We are following a clear and precise roadmap, with a gradual ramp-up to achieve our growth objectives. comments Florence Robin, co-founder and President of Limatech.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the partners and investors who have supported us since our creation. Limatech. Because LFP technology meets a real market need, we are now turning our attention to the future, with a view to successfully entering the market, while continuing to carry out the research needed to continue innovating in a sector that is highly strategic for French and European sovereignty. adds Maxime Di Meglio, co-founder and CEO of Limatech.
Faced with the challenges of the energy transition,
Limatech
is rising to the challenge by designing and producing intelligent, safe lithium battery packs, today for engine starting, tomorrow for aircraft hybridization and electrification.
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Photo credit: Pierre Jayet
