Battery manufacturer Saft, part of the TotalEnergies group, is inaugurating new production lines for solid-state batteries at its Bordeaux facility. The batteries are primarily intended for use in aerospace applications. Saft does not mention any potential use in road vehicles.

Saft describes itself as the first French manufacturer to produce self-developed solid-state batteries that utilise both sulphide and polymer electrolytes at room temperature. The Total subsidiary cites aerospace as a key application area, where “gains in safety, performance and energy density are particularly valuable,” according to an accompanying statement. In aviation, Saft has already made a strong initial impact with the recent delivery of semi-solid-state cells in collaboration with partner Safran.

According to Saft, the new production lines in Bordeaux – a European aerospace hub – are designed to accommodate various technologies, specifically both polymer-based semi-solid-state batteries and sulphide-based solid-state batteries. The facilities operate explicitly at room temperature. However, Saft remains vague about the batteries themselves, stating only that they will be particularly safe and compact. Their energy density is said to be up to 50 per cent higher than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the manufacturing process uses a dry electrode method, which is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions in production by up to 40 per cent.

Saft CEO Cédric Duclos commented: “Solid-state batteries are among the most promising innovations for meeting tomorrow’s electrification needs.

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