First Czech HE3DA batteries expected by year-end

HE3DA will build a factory for its revolutionary lithium batteries in Horní Suchá in the Karviná region, with the factory expected to produce its first batteries by year-end. The company will secure funding for the development and construction of the factory from a Chinese investor, who will invest EUR 50 million (CZK 1.35 billion) in the first phase.

The innovative battery technology, invented by Czech scientist Jan Procházka and which we have reported on previously, will offer, among other things, much higher capacity and cost savings compared with current batteries. Both the automotive industry and the energy sector could benefit from the invention.

According to HE3DA strategic director Václav Binar, the first factory will be built near Havířov and should begin producing batteries by the end of the year. Funding will be provided by Chinese businessman Qu Quanbin, who will acquire a 49% stake in HE3DA Technologies for a total of EUR 100 million (CZK 2.7 billion), while the remaining 51% will belong to Czech investors.

“At present, the batteries are being made in a laboratory setting, and automated production lines need to be developed to manufacture them. We want to have the first production line built by the end of the year so that it is already producing batteries,” Binar said.

The line in Horní Suchá near Havířov will serve as a model for lines to be built around the world. According to company co-founder Radomír Prus, the company will sell the battery manufacturing technology. There is interest in more than a hundred lines from Germany, Slovakia, Russia, China and Chile.

“Production capacity will subsequently be built around the world based on these lines. The lines in Horní Suchá will also manufacture batteries, but they are important primarily because the very first production line developed for this specific type of battery will be created,” Binar added.

The company already has production premises at the site where the factory will be built; according to Binar, they only need to be expanded with one hall.