APG, on behalf of ABP, is investing €7 million in LeydenJar, a Dutch deep-tech startup that manufactures a key battery component—the anode—using 100% pure silicon. This innovation significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to conventional graphite anodes.
LeydenJar’s technology cuts CO₂ emissions during production by about 85 percent compared to standard graphite anodes. It also enables lighter, smaller, and more powerful batteries that can charge faster. In doing so, it supports the energy transition, making this an impact investment.
Breakthrough technology
LeydenJar developed an anode, the negative battery side, from 100% silicon, which can store significantly more energy than traditional graphite anodes. While using silicon as an anode material is not new, LeydenJar is the first to overcome technical challenges associated with the volume expansion of the anode during charging. Short battery life, caused by volume expansion, is one of the main issues that silicon anode producers are struggling with, explains Martijn Olthof, Expert Portfolio Manager Direct Ventures at APG. “LeydenJar has successfully tackled this challenge through a different production technology. This allowed them to develop a lithium-ion battery, with a 100% silicon anode that can be charged and discharged over 500 times, without applying external pressure. That’s more than enough for consumer electronics.”
This breakthrough technology makes large-scale commercialization possible, initially for consumer electronics. Olthof: “In the longer term, there is no barrier to applying these types of anodes in, for example, electric vehicles. But for now, consumer electronics represent a market large enough to warrant full focus.”
The investment is the second close of a larger €43 million capital raise, including a €21 million equity round, €10 million in customer funding for future production and €12 million from grants and loans. Funds will be used among others to build a new factory in Eindhoven, PlantOne. By 2027, the first anodes produced at commercial volumes should roll off the production line there. These anodes will then be incorporated into battery cells produced by Highpower Technology, which in turn will be used in electronic devices.
By 2030, LeydenJar expects to produce 150,000 square meters of anode material—enough for several million smartphones, smartwatches, or smart glasses. For these types of devices battery weight and size are critical factors.
Key growth market
Battery technologies are emerging as a key growth market for the Netherlands, according to the recently published The Route to Future Prosperity report by Peter Wennink, which also highlights LeydenJar’s technology. “In my view, it is one of the most interesting Dutch deep-tech companies, working closely with universities and research institutes. The prevailing notion is that most major developments and technologies originate in North America,” Olthof concludes, “however LeydenJar shows that Europe is also creating and building remarkable innovations.”