RISE and Vanadis Energy sign five-year agreement on advanced battery technology
27 April 2026, 10:41
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and Japanese technology company MK Plus (Vanadis Energy) are signing a five-year strategic agreement on the development of next-generation battery technology. The collaboration focuses on vanadium-based solid-state batteries and strengthens the Swedish value chain for energy storage, from materials and cell production to system integration, recycling and industrial scale-up.
Vanadium-based solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in conventional batteries with a solid material, offering increased safety, long service life and strong recyclability. The technology is regarded as one of the most promising next-generation solutions for large-scale energy storage.
The agreement furthers the collaboration established by the parties in December 2025 and formalises a long-term shared agenda. The partnership combines MK Plus's industrial ambitions with RISE's expertise in carbon materials, battery systems and related production technologies.
Kazumasa Kurokawa, CEO of Vanadis Energy and Malin Frenning, CEO of RISE.
– This partnership strengthens RISE’s work to develop the battery value chain in Sweden. Access to raw materials and production capacity is strategically crucial, and with this agreement we are taking a long-term approach that will make a significant contribution to the energy transition, says Malin Frenning, CEO of RISE
Together, the parties intend to drive innovation across several critical areas: the development of carbon-based raw materials, binders, and the improvement of electrolytes. RISE will also support MK Plus in research funding applications and relationships with academia.
– This strategic collaboration with RISE marks a pivotal step in our mission to deliver safe, sustainable, and highest performance energy storage solutions at scale, says Kazumasa Kurokawa, CEO of Vanadis Energy. Our multimillion commitment provides priority access to RISE’s state-of-the-art facilities and expertise, enabling us to accelerate innovation, achieve full global certification, and position VSB technology as a cornerstone of the energy transition and energy security of the future.
The partnership reflects a shared ambition to contribute to the global transition towards sustainable and safe energy storage solutions, while strengthening Sweden's industrial and research capacity in the battery sector.
Contact at RISE:
Juhanes Aydin, juhanes.aydin@ri.se, +46 (0)10-516 63 87
About RISE
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden is Sweden's national research institute and innovation partner. Through internationally leading research and demand-driven knowledge development, RISE contributes to a competitive business sector and a sustainable society.
About MK Plus (Vanadis Energy)
MK Plus is a Japanese technology company specialising in advanced energy storage based on solid-state technology, operating under the name Vanadis Energy in the European Union, the United States and the Middle East. With roots in research at Tohoku and Kyoto universities, the company has industrialised VSB technology and established operations in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East.