London-based Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, is to open a new 2,123m² battery application centre at Milton Park — a 250-acre mixed-use business and technology park in Oxfordshire.

JM (www.matthey.com) is developing next-generation battery materials with improved energy density (so the mileage of battery-electric vehicles between charges can be increased), pulse power (for improved acceleration) and safety, while minimising the use of costly and scarce raw material such as cobalt.

Its range of ultra-high-energy density eLNO cathode active materials delivers improvements in all these critical performance areas.

Dan Baker, JM financial director (battery materials), said: “Our site at Milton Park will be at the leading edge of battery technology.

"We will use our science and problem-solving ability to work with leading automotive companies to develop tailored solutions for their applications.

"The company is a global leader in science, and we believe that the new centre will help us in our mission to make the world cleaner and healthier.”