1969 - Battelle Memorial Institute
Geneva
Denis Doniat takes the lead of the electrochemical Generators Group and begins the adventure.
1974 - Foundation of SORAPEC
by Denis Doniat
The company was first created as a joint Michelin/Citroën laboratory in Paris for the development of zinc-air batteries. Soon new battery electrodes and current collector technologies were developed thanks to more than 500 R&D contracts. The research activity was mainly focused on fuel cells, metal-air systems and batteries. The most remarkable accomplishment was a new process for manufacturing nickel foam used in alkaline batteries such as nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydrides (NiMH).
1983 - Creation of EPCI
On the basis of an original patented technology developed by SORAPEC, the subsidiary EPCI was created to launch production of Nickel Foams - a key component for the development of small batteries for portable electronics. After in 1990, the production plant and the technology were sold to Duracell, and the R&D laboratory was sold to one of the SORAPEC shareholders as a capital-development company.
1984 - Creation of NITECH
Nitech was created to produce customized small-series alkaline batteries (Ni-Cd and Ni-MH) for special applications (military, space, telecom…). By the end of 1991, both NITECH and SORAPEC were sold to SUEZ group for further development.
1993 - Foundation of SCPS
20 years of research on rechargeable zinc electrodes
Despite multiple technical hurdles, and the doubt of many experts considering that after numerous studies and trials such a battery could not work efficiently, the team succeeded. More than 100 patents and extensions were applied for and the nickel-zinc battery now achieves 2000 deep cycles at a high rate. This electrode is also used for zinc-air and silver-zinc batteries.
2019 - SUNERGY
towards the commercialization of innovative batteries
Sunergy is an active SME, focused on R&D for electrochemical systems for the production and storage of electrictity.
Our Ni-Zn technology was recently sold to one of the largest Chinese battery manufacturers Chilwee who will pursue its industrial development. With the performance of 3000 cycles at C rate and 100% DOD, we continue to improve Ni-Zn technology aiming at 5000 cycles soon.
Together, we strive on developing other technologies for today’s more responsible energy transition. We are extending our knowledge to other zinc-based battery technologies by developing Zn-MnO2, Zn-air systems and Zn red-flow.
Moreover, we are expanding our expertise to other thematics like the production hydrogen (green and on-demand).
2021 - H2020 LOLABAT
funding from the European union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
Sunergy is proud to be part of the LOLABAT project (LOng LAsting BATteries) within a consortium of 17 parties. During three years, the collaboration will strive to prove the positive impact and necessity of developping the NiZn industry in Europe.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 963576.
