Group1 unveils potassium-ion 18650 cells

Group1 announced the release of the world’s first Potassium-ion battery -KIB- in the cylindrical 18650 form factor.

The company reports that Group1’s KIB technology offers a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective solution, free from critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, and lithium. It seamlessly integrates into existing LIB processes, ensuring a smooth transition for manufacturers. As part of this launch, Group1 is delivering samples to key Tier 1 Original Equipment Manufacturers – OEMs – and cell manufacturers.

This new KIB battery was unveiled at the 14th annual Beyond Lithium Conference at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. At the conference, Group1 highlighted the product’s path from coin-cell to pouch-cell to 18650 format. This drew interest from national laboratory scientists and prominent thought leaders in the battery space.

Leveraging Kristonite™, Group1’s flagship product—a uniquely engineered 4V cathode material in the Potassium Prussian White – KPW class—this battery enables what they report as an optimal combination of performance, safety, and cost when compared to LiFePO4 (LFP)-based LIBs and Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs).

The company reports that these new 18650 batteries use commercial graphite anodes, separators, and electrolyte formulations comprised of commercially sourced components. They offer superior cycle life and excellent discharge capability while operating at 3.7V. The product release reportedly exceeds initial performance expectations with a practical path to achieve a gravimetric energy density of 160-180Wh/kg—standard for LFP-LIB.

KIB is presented as a viable alternative to LFP-LIB for demanding mobility applications while also helping reduce supply-chain pressures and supporting domestic manufacturing of critical battery technology.