Wanhua Chemical and ElevenEs Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Battery Material Innovation in Europe
In a significant step toward fostering global cooperation in sustainable energy development, Wanhua Chemical Battery Technology (hereinafter “Wanhua Chemical”) and ElevenEs, a prominent European manufacturer of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Meishan, Sichuan. The ceremony was attended by key executives from both organizations, including Mr. Wang Xiaoxing, General Manager of Wanhua Chemical, and Mr. Nemanja Mikać, Founder and CEO of ElevenEs.
This partnership aims to establish a wide-ranging collaboration encompassing the supply of critical battery materials, such as LFP cathode materials, PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) binders, and NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) solvents, while also creating channels for technical exchange and joint product development. The agreement underscores a shared vision: to drive innovation and sustainability in the rapidly evolving new energy industry by integrating material technology, supply chain optimization, and engineering excellence.
A Strategic Alliance to Strengthen the Battery Ecosystem
The partnership between Wanhua Chemical and ElevenEs is emblematic of the growing interconnectedness of Asian and European stakeholders in the global energy transition. While Wanhua Chemical brings to the table its deep-rooted expertise in materials research, production engineering, and chemical synthesis, ElevenEs contributes its pioneering work in LFP battery design and large-scale battery production in Europe, particularly from its production facilities in Subotica, Serbia.
By joining forces, the two companies seek to build a vertically integrated, resilient, and localized supply chain for battery materials in Europe. This is increasingly critical as the European Union intensifies its efforts to localize clean energy supply chains and reduce dependence on imported materials amid geopolitical uncertainties and carbon neutrality targets.
The MoU not only signifies a shared commitment to industrial collaboration but also lays the foundation for future developments in EV battery production, stationary energy storage systems (ESS), and emerging clean technologies.
Wanhua Chemical’s Technological Strength and Global Outlook
Wanhua Chemical has built a reputation as a global leader in chemical innovation, with a comprehensive portfolio that spans polyurethanes, petrochemicals, and advanced materials, including those used in next-generation battery technologies. The company has consistently invested in R&D and process innovation, enabling it to respond dynamically to the evolving demands of the energy storage sector.
Through its subsidiary, Wanhua Chemical Battery Technology Co., Ltd., the company has consolidated its battery material capabilities into a unified technological platform. This platform covers the development of battery cathode and anode materials, advanced binders and solvent systems, and related application technologies for battery cells. These assets position Wanhua Chemical as a key enabler for battery manufacturers seeking high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective material solutions.
The strategic alliance with ElevenEs fits seamlessly into Wanhua’s broader vision to internationalize its battery materials division. By leveraging its global supply chain infrastructure and advanced manufacturing bases—both in China and overseas—Wanhua Chemical is poised to provide localized support for ElevenEs’ operations in Serbia and beyond.
ElevenEs: A European Innovator in LFP Battery Production
Founded with a mission to accelerate the energy transition in Europe, ElevenEs has rapidly emerged as a technological leader in LFP battery manufacturing, focusing on safety, longevity, cost-efficiency, and environmental performance. Unlike many of its peers, which remain heavily reliant on imports from Asia, ElevenEs is spearheading efforts to establish a fully localized battery value chain within Europe.
The company’s flagship product—large-format LFP cells—is particularly well-suited for electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale energy storage, two markets expected to expand dramatically over the next decade. By aligning with material technology providers such as Wanhua Chemical, ElevenEs strengthens its ability to secure consistent raw material supply, a crucial factor for scaling its production volumes while maintaining product quality and sustainability.
During the MoU signing ceremony, Mr. Nemanja Mikać, Founder and CEO of ElevenEs, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership:
“Wanhua Chemical’s profound expertise in battery materials and global production capacity will significantly support ElevenEs in achieving our localized supply chain goals. This partnership not only strengthens our raw material security but also accelerates innovation through technical synergy, delivering more competitive LFP battery products to the European market.”
Joint Development, Technical Collaboration, and Market Expansion
As outlined in the MoU, both parties have agreed to establish a dedicated joint technical team. This team will facilitate knowledge sharing, joint R&D projects, and market trend analysis, enabling both companies to stay ahead of industry developments.
Specifically, the collaboration will focus on:
- Co-developing high-performance LFP cathode materials tailored for European EV and ESS applications.
- Optimizing PVDF binder formulations for enhanced battery performance and manufacturing efficiency.
- Improving the environmental profile of solvent systems, particularly NMP, which is a crucial yet regulated component in electrode processing.
- Creating a feedback loop between material science and end-product design, allowing ElevenEs to continuously improve its battery technologies with insights from Wanhua’s material innovations.
In addition to technical collaboration, Wanhua Chemical and ElevenEs plan to expand their joint marketing and business development efforts, targeting automotive OEMs, energy utilities, and grid operators. The aim is to promote LFP technology as a reliable and sustainable alternative to other chemistries, especially in markets where safety, lifecycle, and cost are top priorities.
Strategic Localization in Europe: A Key Milestone
One of the most critical outcomes of the partnership is the localization of the battery material supply chain within Europe. By aligning with Wanhua Chemical, ElevenEs ensures access to high-purity, performance-optimized raw materials without the logistical and regulatory burdens of long-distance imports. In turn, Wanhua Chemical gains a strategic foothold in the European market, where demand for sustainable energy solutions is rising rapidly.
Mr. Wang Xiaoxing, General Manager of Wanhua Chemical Battery Technology Co., Ltd., underscored the importance of the collaboration:
“This strategic collaboration with ElevenEs marks a significant step in Wanhua Chemical’s localization of battery material supply chains in Europe. We will leverage our strengths in material R&D, production processes, and global footprint to provide ElevenEs with high-performance LFP cathode materials and integrated solutions, jointly advancing the sustainable development of Europe’s new energy industry.”
This localized approach not only reduces carbon emissions associated with long-haul transport but also supports regional economic development and job creation, aligning with European industrial policy priorities under the Green Deal and Net-Zero Industry Act.
A Long-Term Vision for Innovation and Sustainabilit
While the current agreement focuses primarily on LFP materials and their immediate application in EVs and ESS products, both companies have expressed a desire to broaden the scope of collaboration in the future. This includes exploring joint opportunities in:
- Advanced battery chemistries beyond LFP, such as LMFP (lithium manganese iron phosphate) and sodium-ion technologies.
- Next-generation cell design and pack integration for high-power and long-range applications.
- Recycling and circular economy initiatives to recover and reuse critical materials from end-of-life batteries.
- Standardization of materials and processes to streamline certification and improve cost competitiveness in global markets.
By continually expanding their partnership across the value chain, Wanhua Chemical and ElevenEs aim to reinforce their positions as industry leaders, not only in terms of market share but also in their contributions to a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
