1414 Degrees (ASX: 14D) Opens South Korean Pathway for SiNTL Batteries

1414 Degrees has signed a letter of intent with South Korean battery manufacturer JR Energy Solution to develop SiNTL-based electrodes and cells.

The program will initially target high-performance applications, including defence, unmanned aerial vehicles, space and robotics. SiNTL is the company’s silicon-enhanced anode material, designed to increase lithium-ion battery energy density.

No financial terms were disclosed. The letter is a development framework rather than a definitive manufacturing agreement or customer order.

From Material Samples to Full Cells

Under the agreement, the parties intend to evaluate SiNTL samples and optimise electrode formulations. JR Energy Solution will also manufacture electrodes and cells for testing.

The testing program will cover half-cell and full-cell performance. Key measures will include capacity, energy density, cycle life and rate capability.

That work is intended to create the technical basis for a definitive manufacturing agreement. The companies will consider commercial and manufacturing terms alongside the development program.

For 1414 Degrees, the arrangement provides external manufacturing capability without requiring it to build a cell factory. It also moves SiNTL beyond material development toward application testing and potential scaled production.

South Korean Manufacturing Footprint

JR Energy Solution operates a 79,200-square-metre battery manufacturing site in Eumseong. The facility has current annual production capacity of about 500 megawatt-hours.

The South Korean company plans two additional electrode factories, each at a two-gigawatt-hour scale. Its operations span electrodes, cells and battery packs for electric vehicles, robotics, drones and energy storage.

Its foundry model focuses on customised products for battery developers. That differs from the standardised, high-volume manufacturing commonly associated with electric vehicle batteries.

1414 Degrees Chief Technology and Operations Officer Peter Yaron said: “This agreement with JRES adds an important manufacturing pathway as we progress SiNTL toward real-world applications and commercialisation.”

Connecting Existing Development Programs

Development and scale-up of SiNTL is continuing at George Washington University. Separately, 1414 Degrees has agreements with Energia-2000 for unmanned aerial vehicle applications.

It also has agreements with Orbit Boy and Space Industries covering space and satellite applications. JR Energy Solution could support those programs with electrode and cell manufacturing capability.

This connection is important because SiNTL is a battery material rather than a finished battery. Manufacturing and testing complete cells are necessary steps before qualification and customer adoption can progress.

Supply-Chain and Market Context

The agreement also adds a manufacturing option outside China. According to the International Energy Agency, China produced well over 80% of batteries globally in 2025.

The agency identifies South Korea and Japan as the other countries with notable midstream battery industries. That makes established Korean capacity relevant for defence and aerospace programs seeking diversified supply chains.

Fact.MR forecasts the silicon-anode battery market will expand from about US$400 million in 2025 to US$25.8 billion by 2035. That projection implies a compound annual growth rate of 51.7%.

However, larger-scale production remains subject to qualification, customer adoption and a definitive agreement between the parties.