Solid-State Batteries Could Accelerate the Next Phase of the Energy Transition

HONG KONG, March 22, 2026 – As governments and industries accelerate the transition to cleaner energy systems, the need for safer and more efficient battery technologies is becoming increasingly urgent.

While lithium-ion batteries dominate today’s electric mobility and energy storage markets, researchers and manufacturers are now exploring technologies that could overcome some of the limitations associated with conventional battery systems.

One of the most promising of these technologies is the solid-state battery.

Speaking to CarbonWire during The Battery Show Asia in Hong Kong, Catherine Sung, Head of Global Strategy & France Operations, Prologium Technology, said the next generation of battery innovation must deliver improvements in safety, performance and sustainability simultaneously.

“Inorganic solid-state batteries remove the organic liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion batteries and traditional solid-state batteries,” Sung said. “That means we can significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway events such as fires or explosions.”

Eliminating Liquid Electrolytes

Traditional lithium-ion batteries rely on liquid electrolytes to transport lithium ions between the cathode and anode. While effective, these organic liquids can also contribute to thermal instability under certain conditions.

Solid-state batteries replace this liquid with solid materials that offer improved thermal stability and mechanical strength.

In ProLogium’s design, a ceramic separator replaces the conventional polymer separator used in lithium-ion batteries. This structure prevents direct contact between the cathode and anode while providing stronger resistance to thermal stability.

The result is a battery architecture designed to reduce safety risks while maintaining strong performance characteristics.

Higher Energy Density Without Safety Trade-offs

One of the major challenges facing conventional lithium-ion battery development is the trade-off between safety and energy density. Advanced cathode materials can improve performance but often introduce additional safety concerns.

According to Sung, solid-state architectures could allow manufacturers to use more advanced materials that would otherwise be too risky for conventional batteries.

“In conventional systems, certain high-energy cathode materials cannot be used because of safety concerns,” she said. “With a safer battery architecture, those materials become possible.”

Such developments could significantly increase energy density, potentially enabling longer-range electric vehicles and more efficient energy storage systems.

Improving Battery Pack Efficiency

Solid-state batteries may also simplify the design of battery packs themselves. When safety risks are reduced, fewer protective structures and complex cooling systems are required.

“If the battery itself is safer, the pack design can become simpler,” Sung explained. Improved thermal characteristics could allow manufacturers to design lighter and more efficient battery systems.

For electric vehicles, this could translate into improved energy efficiency and lower manufacturing costs.

Asia’s Role in the Battery Supply Chain

Despite growing battery manufacturing investments in Europe and North America, Asia continues to dominate the global battery ecosystem. “Asia remains the most advanced region for battery development,” Sung said.

Countries including China, Japan and South Korea have built extensive supply chains for cathode materials, battery components and advanced manufacturing technologies.

ProLogium continues to work with partners across Asia for many of its core materials while maintaining proprietary technologies in-house.

Europe Emerges as a Strategic Manufacturing Hub

At the same time, new battery manufacturing facilities are being developed closer to end markets. ProLogium is building a gigafactory in Dunkirk, France, aimed at supporting the rapidly growing European electric vehicle industry.

The site was selected after evaluating dozens of potential locations across Europe. Key factors included logistics connectivity, access to stable electricity supplies and proximity to major automotive manufacturers.

Battery manufacturing is highly energy intensive, making electricity availability and cost critical considerations. Dunkirk offers access to both low carbon and renewable energy sources, providing a stable and relatively low-carbon power supply.

Towards a Circular Battery Economy

Sung also highlighted the potential recycling advantages of solid-state batteries. Without liquid electrolytes, the batteries can be dismantled more easily, potentially improving the recovery of valuable materials.

ProLogium is exploring partnerships to establish closed-loop recycling systems that recover cathode materials, silicon components and other key resources. Higher recycling efficiency could play an important role in reducing the carbon footprint of battery production.

The Road Ahead

Over the next decade, battery manufacturers will continue pushing the limits of performance while attempting to maintain safety and sustainability. However, many conventional lithium-ion technologies are approaching their theoretical limits.

“Battery makers are already close to the ceiling of conventional lithium-ion technology,” Sung said. Solid-state batteries 2.0 with right balance between safety, performance and cost could offer a pathway beyond those limitations by enabling higher energy density while maintaining strong safety characteristics.

As the energy transition accelerates and global demand for batteries expands across electric mobility, robotics and renewable energy storage, technologies capable of delivering safer and more efficient energy storage could play a central role in the next generation of clean energy systems.