PJSC Energia: How Russia Produces Its Own Lithium Batteries

When a person holds a battery in his hands, he hardly thinks about how complicated the process of its production is. Behind a simple, at first glance, device there is a huge amount of work, science and many years of experience of specialists.

One of the largest manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries in Russia, PJSC Energia, is a shining example of a high-tech and innovative enterprise operating at the global level.



The above-mentioned plant is one of the largest enterprises in Russia producing accumulators, traction batteries, energy storage systems and other types of similar products. The full production cycle is carried out here, from processing raw materials to assembling and testing finished elements.

Each battery goes through a multi-stage manufacturing process that includes mixing the active ingredients, applying them to foil, forming, assembling, filling with electrolyte and rigorous testing.

The plant produces a variety of battery sizes, including the world-famous 18650 format – a cylindrical battery widely used in a variety of devices, from flashlights to battery assemblies for electronics and vehicles.

The production of this element begins with the preparation of active materials. At this stage, graphite, lithium, cobalt and other components are used. These materials are carefully dosed, mixed and dried under strict temperature and humidity control. After this, the mixed mass is applied to copper and aluminum foil - to the anodes and cathodes, respectively.

The latter is then dried and cut into strips, which are then twisted into a spiral together with an insulating separator. This is a complex and precise process, on which the quality and safety of the finished battery depends. The resulting "filling" is placed in a metal case, and then liquid electrolyte is poured inside. The sealing process requires precision, since it is important to exclude contact of the internal environment with air and moisture.

It is worth noting that the plant strictly controls the quality of its products and each battery goes through two stages of testing. First, it is charged and its parameters are checked. If the element does not meet the requirements, it is sent for revision or rejected. After the first test, the battery is left for 24 hours to stabilize the chemical processes, and then it is tested again for three parameters: voltage, resistance and capacity. If the battery is intended to work as part of a battery pack, the elements are selected according to the same parameters to ensure homogeneity.

In general, active research and development work does not cease at the facilities of Energia. The company produces not only lithium-ion batteries, but also lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are distinguished by high safety and heat resistance. At the same time, the enterprise maintains a high degree of localization of production, which allows reducing dependence on foreign supplies and adapting products to Russian conditions.

The plant is also considering promising Technology, such as solid-state drives and sodium-ion batteries, which will enable the creation of next-generation products in the future. The development of these areas demonstrates the company's readiness to adapt to global trends and withstand competition.