ENV Energy develops unique new battery chemistry to boost performance and sustainability
ENV Energy - a spin-out from Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick has the potential to provide a strategically independent, UK-sourced electrode material for various sectors including automotive and aerospace.
Having raised more than £450,000 in seed funding, with the support of Warwick InnovationsLink opens in a new window , and being awarded a subsequent entrepreneurial fellowship and an industry sprint from the Faraday InstitutionLink opens in a new window, ENV aims to scale at pace, making the UK's electric vehicle battery supply chain smarter, safer and more sustainable.
The spin-out marks a major milestone in battery innovation. Production of its unique novel cathode chemistry- developed in laboratories at the University of Warwick - will now be scaled up using industrially relevant processes and equipment, allowing the team to engage with cell manufacturers, investors and industry organisations.
Developed under the leadership of Louis Piper, Professor of Battery Innovation at WMG, the new cathode material is designed to significantly enhance the performance of electric vehicles.
Matt Ogley, Co-Founder of ENV Energy, explains: "Our new electrode materials are founded on a fundamental understanding of how today's batteries perform. These insights have enabled us to engineer elegant, futureproof solutions that directly support the UK Battery StrategyLink opens in a new window.
"The new materials will reduce toxicity, increase recyclability, and improve performance. Our next challenge is to turn our research into reality."
Over the next 18 months, ENV Energy - based at Warwick Science Park - aims to raise further investment and expand its team to scale production and drive large‑scale industrial adoption.
Louis Piper, Professor of Battery Innovation at WMG, explains: "The development of next generation cathode materials requires academic understanding and industrial alignment to address the critical area of battery supply chain resilience. The Faraday Institution FutureCat project and the HMV Catapult capabilities at WMG provided the perfect combination for developing and demonstrating our innovation needed to accelerate scale up."
Professor Martin Freer, CEO, Faraday Institution, comments, "ENV Energy's exciting technology is a key outcome of the Faraday Institution's research programme. We were privileged to help guide ENV Energy through to achieving their funding and spin-out milestones."
Dr Tim Hart, Director Warwick Innovations said: "We are all very proud to announce the creation of the first ever spinout company from WMG, ENV Energy Ltd.
"WMG remains a poster child of how UK universities should collaborate with industry, and it is exciting to see this world leading innovation in clean tech and advanced manufacturing emerge from a UK powerhouse in applied engineering research.
"From the first meeting I had with the inventors through to supporting the founders develop into a new spinout team, I have witnessed the difference in the quality and approach WMG scientists take in their research and impact work.
"This is a classic Warwick spinout. Deep tech, applied from the very start, and with a hugely talented team to take this innovation to market.
"I have no doubt ENV Energy will be incredibly successful, and everyone who is involved in the development of this spinout is looking forward to continuing to support its growth.
"Many congratulations to the founding team, WMG, and the University of Warwick."
Batteries of the future
The UK Battery Strategy aims to achieve a globally competitive battery supply chain by 2030. The Strategy focus on enhancing the domestic supply chain for batteries, reducing reliance on imports, and developing a thriving battery innovation ecosystem.
The Strategy is part of a broader effort to leverage the UK's research and innovation base to develop the 'batteries of the future' and secure a resilient UK supply chain.
