From the extraction of resources to the production of the finished battery cell, Blackstone Resources bundles the value chain from a single source. We offer a direct involvement in the battery technology revolution. We started in 1995..
Founding of Blackstone Resources AG
Blackstone Resources was founded in Switzerland in 1995 by CEO Ulrich Robert Ernst. His vision: The creation of uniform and sustainable cycles from resource extraction to the production of market-ready lithium battery cells. With increasing involvement in trading and the extraction of metals, we have built up a stringent global supply chain for battery and precious metals in the years that followed. The Company directs its investments towards companies operating in the battery metals market.
Blackstone Resources on the SIX, Founding of Blackstone Technology GmbH
Blackstone Resources AG was listed on the SIX on July 9th, 2018. The title was also simultaneously listed on the stock exchanges in Stuttgart, Berlin and Frankfurt. Press interest was significant with over 40 different articles on the IPO. The high turnover on the first day of trading was recorded at a pleasingly maintained reference price.
Our German subsidiary, Blackstone Technology GmbH, was founded in the same year after Blackstone Resources successfully carried out the preliminary work since 2017. The company has invested heavily in the research and development of new battery technologies. The strategic location at the site in Saxony offers access to a distinctive research landscape, to high-tech mechanical engineering companies and many strategic customers such as the automotive industry.
Our German subsidiary, Blackstone Technology GmbH, was founded in the same year after Blackstone Resources successfully carried out the preliminary work since 2017. The company has invested heavily in the research and development of new battery technologies. The strategic location at the site in Saxony offers access to a distinctive research landscape, to high-tech mechanical engineering companies and many strategic customers such as the automotive industry.
Award for long-term value chain
In early 2019, Blackstone received an award for Best Long-Term Value Creation. It was awarded by Capital Finance International (CFl.co) for the "best long-term promising IPO in Switzerland 2018". The judging panel was impressed by Blackstone's extensive research and development programs, which include new battery technologies and the automation of production processes that could reduce battery production costs by up to 70%.
Production of the world's first functional full cells with thick, printed electrodes & proof of concept
Blackstone reaches important milestones in 2020: In July, the world's first functional full cells with thick, printed electrodes (C/LFP) are manufactured and successfully tested. With all common cathode chemistries, the energy density can be increased by approx. 20%. In addition, both electrodes are based on environmentally friendly, water-based binder systems. Their production is pollution-free and reduces production costs sustainably.
In September 2020, Blackstone is investing in the next generation of battery technology through its German subsidiary, Blackstone Technology GmbH. These include patent-pending 3D printing techniques and research into mass-producing batteries that have been shown to offer higher energy densities and higher cycle counts.
Another important milestone in the same year and the basis for our current development lead: In 2020 we were able to complete the proof of concept for the production and technical applicability of our pouch cells and solid-state cells. The validation of all critical requirements for our battery technology enabled us to set up our Blackstone Technology production line in Döbeln in the same year.
In September 2020, Blackstone is investing in the next generation of battery technology through its German subsidiary, Blackstone Technology GmbH. These include patent-pending 3D printing techniques and research into mass-producing batteries that have been shown to offer higher energy densities and higher cycle counts.
Another important milestone in the same year and the basis for our current development lead: In 2020 we were able to complete the proof of concept for the production and technical applicability of our pouch cells and solid-state cells. The validation of all critical requirements for our battery technology enabled us to set up our Blackstone Technology production line in Döbeln in the same year.
Operating license in Döbeln and Blackstone Thick Layer Technology ©
Already at the beginning of 2021 we manufactured the first LFP sample cells via Blackstone Technology and thus successfully passed the UN 38.3 test. In March of this year, the first functional solid-state battery was produced using 3D printing. In Döbeln, Saxony, we set up a complex IT infrastructure and planned, set up and commissioned a modern electrical and chemical laboratory.
In July 2021, Blackstone Technology GmbH received the official operating license from the authorities in Döbeln to start the production of 3D printed Li-ion battery cells. Shortly thereafter, the Saxon Development Bank (SAB) approved funding for the investments.
On December 7th, 2021, Blackstone Technology presented its new battery cells at a large press conference with the well-known moderator Peter Schwierz. These are the first lithium-ion batteries to be industrially manufactured in Germany. They are mass-produced using a state-of-the-art 3D screen printing process and have numerous technical advantages. These include a particularly high energy density and a sustainably reduced consumption of resources in the production process. This technology gives us a significant degree of flexibility in the shape and size of our batteries. At the same time, environmental influences are reduced and toxic solvents avoided.
In December 2021, one of our partners presented its first commercial vehicle, which is expected to be powered by 3D-printed batteries from Blackstone by the end of 2022. It should benefit from the increased energy density, the great flexibility of shape and the environmentally friendly ecological balance of our cells. A hydrogen-powered truck, which will also use Blackstone energy cells, is also in the pipeline.
Also in 2021, we developed the next generation of batteries and a manufacturing process for our first 50 MWh small series production. With our new production line at the Blackstone Technology GmbH site, we have been manufacturing pouch cells with Blackstone Thick Layer Technology © in a new 3D screen printing process since the end of 2021.
In July 2021, Blackstone Technology GmbH received the official operating license from the authorities in Döbeln to start the production of 3D printed Li-ion battery cells. Shortly thereafter, the Saxon Development Bank (SAB) approved funding for the investments.
On December 7th, 2021, Blackstone Technology presented its new battery cells at a large press conference with the well-known moderator Peter Schwierz. These are the first lithium-ion batteries to be industrially manufactured in Germany. They are mass-produced using a state-of-the-art 3D screen printing process and have numerous technical advantages. These include a particularly high energy density and a sustainably reduced consumption of resources in the production process. This technology gives us a significant degree of flexibility in the shape and size of our batteries. At the same time, environmental influences are reduced and toxic solvents avoided.
In December 2021, one of our partners presented its first commercial vehicle, which is expected to be powered by 3D-printed batteries from Blackstone by the end of 2022. It should benefit from the increased energy density, the great flexibility of shape and the environmentally friendly ecological balance of our cells. A hydrogen-powered truck, which will also use Blackstone energy cells, is also in the pipeline.
Also in 2021, we developed the next generation of batteries and a manufacturing process for our first 50 MWh small series production. With our new production line at the Blackstone Technology GmbH site, we have been manufacturing pouch cells with Blackstone Thick Layer Technology © in a new 3D screen printing process since the end of 2021.
Our current development program, further growth in Döbeln
We are not resting on our laurels when it comes to the technological advances of our technologies: our development program for solid-state batteries and their production process will be continued. Likewise, we continue to develop, explore and mine battery metals to create and ensure a secure supply chain for our company and the rest of the battery industry over the long term.
Our production plant in Döbeln is also about to be expanded: Production, office and storage areas are currently located there on more than 8,500 m². The cornerstone for further growth was laid in January 2022 with the purchase of a further 16,500 m²: The current production capacity is to be increased from 50 MWh to 500 MWh in 2022. In the long term (until 2023/24) 5 GWh are planned.
Our production plant in Döbeln is also about to be expanded: Production, office and storage areas are currently located there on more than 8,500 m². The cornerstone for further growth was laid in January 2022 with the purchase of a further 16,500 m²: The current production capacity is to be increased from 50 MWh to 500 MWh in 2022. In the long term (until 2023/24) 5 GWh are planned.