Avocet Battery Materials, UK industry experts in pouch-cell tab development and manufacturing, has secured grant funding through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 program to advance DryTab, its proprietary dry surface treatment technology for battery lead tabs. The funding will support further development, validation and commercialization of DryTab as Avocet moves the technology toward industrial deployment. DRIVE35 supports R&D and manufacturing scale-up across zero-emission vehicle technologies, including batteries and associated components, with a broader focus on strengthening domestic automotive supply chains and reducing embedded carbon.

Avocet Battery Materials DryTab pouch-cell battery tab shown in a manufacturer-supplied product image, featured by EV + Battery Tech Monthly.

Avocet Battery Materials’ DryTab surface technology is being developed as a dry treatment process for lithium-ion pouch-cell tabs, with the aim of improving corrosion resistance while reducing chemical processing, energy use and manufacturing footprint.

DryTab is designed as an alternative to conventional wet chemical surface treatments used on lithium-ion pouch-cell tabs. Avocet notes that the process eliminates hazardous chemical treatment stages while reducing energy use and manufacturing footprint. The company also identifies corrosion resistance as a key performance target, along with compatibility across both anode and cathode tabs and improved performance on bare copper, where conventional nickel plating may otherwise be required. Surface treatment plays an important role in tab reliability, as the tab forms the electrical connection between the active cell structure and the external circuit while also passing through the pouch seal. Avocet’s broader battery tab development work focuses on corrosion resistance, adhesion and sealing behavior, material selection and surface condition, all of which can influence long-term pouch-cell integrity and manufacturing consistency.

The DryTab program builds on approximately two years of development at Avocet and is intended to support a simpler, scalable manufacturing route for battery tabs. According to the company, the dry process can reduce the number of treatment stages associated with conventional surface preparation while lowering energy consumption and chemical handling requirements. The technology is also being developed for use across both positive and negative tab materials. For copper tabs in particular, Avocet is targeting a surface treatment route that can reduce reliance on traditional nickel plating while maintaining the corrosion resistance required for lithium-ion cell environments. That approach aligns with the company’s broader work in tab material selection, sealing performance and electrolyte compatibility, where surface chemistry and edge preparation can have a direct effect on finished-cell reliability.

DRIVE35 funding will support the next stage of technical validation and development of an investment-ready commercialization case. Avocet describes the program as still being in its early phases, with further research and validation required before commercial readiness.

Avocet manufactures pouch-cell tabs in the UK and works with battery manufacturers, research organizations and development programs from early-stage R&D through scale-up. Its facilities include dedicated tab manufacturing, metrology and testing capabilities, along with laboratory services for surface analysis, electrolyte compatibility, polymer adhesion, welding and accelerated aging studies.

About Avocet Battery Materials

Avocet Battery Materials is a UK-based manufacturer and developer of pouch-cell tabs and related battery materials. The company grew from Avocet Steel Strip and draws on more than 25 years of specialist metals experience, with a focus on localizing the supply of key battery components for the European lithium-ion market. Its work spans cell-tab design, surface treatment, material selection, manufacturing, inspection and testing for battery developers ranging from university research programs to established cell manufacturers and gigafactory projects. Avocet operates a dedicated battery tab innovation and manufacturing facility near Manchester and supplies customized tab solutions for high-performance pouch-cell applications. For more information, please click here. 

Source/Photo Credit: Avocet Battery Materials

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Molly Bakewell Chamberlin
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