South 8 Starts Volume Production of Cold-Weather Lithium-Ion Batteries for Defense

South 8 Begins Volume Production of Extreme Cold Weather Lithium-Ion Batteries for Defense Customers

Since executing a $9.2 million PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant agreement earlier this year, South 8 has scaled manufacturing of LiGas enabled lithium-ion battery cells in San Diego, California

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–South 8 Technologies’ new semi-automated battery cell manufacturing line is now operational, marking a significant milestone in growing US domestic cell manufacturing capacity. The line will support 5 MWh of annual cylindrical cell production in 2027, enhancing South 8’s ability to serve defense and specialty markets requiring reliable battery performance in extreme cold.

The manufacturing expansion supports production of South 8’s ARCTIC™ AE35 18650 cell, which uses a proprietary LiGas liquefied gas electrolyte to enable reliable charge and discharge from −60 °C to +60 °C (−76 °F to +140 °F).

The new manufacturing line will produce cells for defense customers, including 3ME Technology and Galvion. Both are commercializing LiGas enabled battery solutions for demanding defense and cold weather applications, creating a clear path from qualification to production as South 8 scales cell production capacity through 2027.

In parallel with the production buildout, South 8 has established supplier agreements for key cell materials and components to develop a resilient supply chain that avoids reliance on foreign entities of concern (FEOCs). Both the cells and the proprietary LiGas electrolyte will be produced at South 8’s San Diego facility, providing customers with a domestically manufactured battery cell and a defined pathway toward meeting applicable National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sourcing requirements once those rules are finalized.

Rusty Heffner, Vice President of Strategy at South 8 Technologies, said:

Customers need battery cells that perform in extreme environments while also reducing supply chain risk,

“South 8 is scaling production of the AE35 cell to address both needs. We provide the cold weather performance our customers require while building cells domestically with a supply chain that was selected to comply with the NDAA Section 842 rules. We enhance the capability of our customers’ products and give them confidence that they will have a reliable domestic source of battery cells that meets emerging DOW regulations.”

These capabilities are increasingly important for defense and specialty cold weather applications, where both battery performance and supply chain security can be critical. South 8 customers build packs and platforms for applications including unmanned systems, communications equipment, remote sensing, soldier power, and other equipment expected to operate reliably in extreme environments.

Trademark Notice: ARCTIC™ and AE™ are trademarks of South 8 Technologies, Inc. LiGas® is a registered trademark of South 8 Technologies, Inc.

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South 8 Begins Volume Production of Extreme Cold Weather Lithium-Ion Batteries for Defense Customers, source