14D signs Korean LOI to fast-track SiNTL battery manufacturing pathway
1414 Degrees (ASX:14D) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with South Korean battery electrode and cell manufacturer JR Energy Solution (JRES) to jointly develop electrodes and battery cells using 14D’s SiNTL silicon anode material. The initial focus targets high-performance applications including defence, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), space and robotics.
Announced on 24 August 2026, the arrangement creates a route toward scaled cell production without requiring 14D to build its own cell manufacturing facilities. This capital-light pathway is the central strategic takeaway for investors.
SiNTL is designed to increase lithium-ion battery energy density. JRES, founded in 2022 and based in Eumseong, South Korea, operates a specialised battery electrode foundry producing electrodes and cells to customer specifications for international battery developers.
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What the LOI covers and why it matters
The collaboration sets out a structured development sequence intended to test and refine SiNTL-based cells. Under the LOI, the parties intend to progress through the following stages:
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Evaluate SiNTL material samples
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Develop and optimise electrode formulations
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Manufacture electrodes and cells
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Undertake half-cell and full-cell performance testing across capacity, energy density, cycle life and rate capability
This work is intended to establish the technical base for a definitive manufacturing agreement covering scale-up and production of SiNTL-based battery cells at JRES facilities. Alongside the development programme, the parties will consider the commercial and manufacturing terms for a definitive agreement.
For investors, the significance lies in access. The collaboration gives 14D third-party electrode and cell development capability alongside a potential route to scaled production, supporting commercialisation without heavy capital expenditure on new facilities.
Dr Peter N. Yaron, Chief Technology & Operations Officer, 1414 Degrees
“This agreement with JRES adds an important manufacturing pathway as we progress SiNTL toward real-world applications and commercialisation. We already have pathways into UAV, defence and space markets. Access to versatile electrode and cell manufacturing capability in South Korea gives us another option to support those programs and scale production as demand develops.”
Who is JR Energy Solution?
JRES brings established manufacturing infrastructure to the collaboration, an important consideration when assessing execution capability. The company operates a 79,200 m² manufacturing site in Eumseong with current annual production capacity of approximately 500 MWh.
Expansion is planned. JRES intends to add two further 2 GWh-scale electrode factories, signalling a meaningful capacity trajectory should demand materialise.
The company’s platform spans electrodes, cells and battery packs, with applications across electric vehicles (EVs), robotics, drones and energy storage, and an expanding focus on defence. JRES operates a battery electrode foundry model, producing customised products rather than the high-volume, standardised output typical of EV battery manufacturing.
Duke Oh, CEO, JR Energy Solution
“We’re seeing growing demand from customers seeking high-performance battery solutions and diversified manufacturing supply chains, particularly in defence, robotics and other specialised applications. We look forward to evaluating 1414 Degrees’ SiNTL technology through our electrode and cell development process and exploring the potential for future manufacturing cooperation.”
Understanding silicon anodes and the supply-chain opportunity
Silicon anode materials matter because they can increase energy density, meaning more power stored within the same battery size. For defence, drones, satellites and robotics, where weight and endurance are decisive performance factors, that capability carries particular value. SiNTL is designed to remain compatible with existing manufacturing processes, reducing the barriers to adoption at partner facilities.
A US$25.8 billion market forming
The addressable opportunity is substantial. According to Fact.MR, the silicon anode battery market is forecast to grow from approximately US$0.4 billion in 2025 to US$25.8 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 51.7%.
The JRES collaboration provides a pathway to convert SiNTL material into manufactured battery cells, supporting potential early revenue opportunities. No revenue is committed at this stage, and the outcome remains dependent on qualification and customer adoption.
Why supply-chain diversification is the driver
Battery supply-chain concentration has become an increasingly important consideration for strategically sensitive markets. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the global lithium-ion battery market exceeded US$150 billion in 2025, with China manufacturing well over 80% of all batteries globally.
The IEA identifies Korea and Japan as the only other countries with notable midstream battery industries. This limited set of alternatives positions 14D’s Korean foothold as relevant for defence and aerospace customers seeking supply-chain diversification.
| Fact | Figure | Investor Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon anode battery market by 2035 | US$25.8B | Validates a large addressable market |
| Forecast CAGR | 51.7% | Signals rapid demand growth |
| China battery share | 80%+ | Diversification tailwind for alternatives |
| JRES capacity | 500 MWh now, +2×2 GWh planned | Provides a scale pathway |
| Facility size | 79,200 m² | Established, not greenfield |
Connecting SiNTL to end markets and next steps
The LOI plugs into a broader application pipeline that 14D has been building across defence, UAV and space markets. Several parallel programmes are already underway:
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Development and scale-up work continuing at George Washington University
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An agreement with Ukrainian military drone manufacturer Energia-2000 for UAV applications (ASX announcement 11 June 2026)
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Agreements with Orbit Boy and Space Industries for space and satellite applications (ASX announcement 17 June 2026)
JRES could provide electrode and cell manufacturing capability to support the development of application-ready batteries for those programs. This links a manufacturing partner to end markets 14D is already pursuing.
The next steps involve sample evaluation, electrode and cell development, and performance testing, progressing toward a definitive manufacturing agreement. No specific timelines beyond these stages have been disclosed.
SiNTL sits alongside SiBrick, SiBox and SiPHyR under 14D’s single silicon materials platform, though the JRES collaboration and SiNTL manufacturing pathway are the focus of this update.
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