Anthro and EnPower are combining forces to deliver high-power battery cells. | Source: Anthro Energy, EnPower
Anthro Energy and EnPower Inc. this week signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a long-term, multi-phase partnership. The companies plan to jointly develop, manufacture, and scale high-performance lithium-ion cells, which are used in a range of robotics applications.
EnPower will combine its U.S.-based electrode and pouch cell manufacturing capabilities with Anthro Energy‘s Proteus electrolyte platform. The companies said they will support longer mission times, safer system designs, and operation in more demanding environments.
“This partnership is about reindustrializing American manufacturing and rebuilding a domestic battery supply chain for the next generation of energy storage,” stated David Mackanic, co-founder and CEO of Anthro Energy. “Through this partnership, we are integrating a paradigm-shifting battery platform with U.S. manufacturing capabilities to accelerate commercialization and deliver high-performance energy solutions for defense, robotics, and autonomous systems.”
Anthro and EnPower to focus on domestic battery production
EnPower and Anthro Energy plan to produce the batteries in the U.S. Alameda, Calif.-based Anthro Energy develops advanced polymer electrolytes to enhance lithium-ion battery performance and safety. EnPower is an Indianapolis-based developer of lithium-ion battery cell design, integration, and manufacturing.
The partners plan to create a fully domestic pathway from advanced electrolyte chemistry through finished cell production. A vertically integrated U.S. cell stack will address growing concern over foreign dominance of the lithium-ion supply chain, noted Anthro Energy and EnPower.
The collaboration also aims to support the reindustrialization of American battery manufacturing for defense and dual-use applications.
The companies said they anticipate scaling production capacity beyond 750 MWh. This would make it one of the largest U.S.-based advanced lithium-ion cell platforms outside of automotive supply chains.
Batteries are in high demand for robotics and AI
According to a 2026 industry report, the artificial intelligence and robotics market in aerospace and defense is projected to grow from $26.9 billion in 2025 to $29.7 billion in 2026. This reflects a 10.5% annual growth rate driven by increased adoption of autonomous drones, robotics, and AI-enabled defense systems. Each of these platforms urgently depends on high-performance, domestically manufactured batteries, which is a category currently underserved by the U.S. supply base.
Anthro Energy and EnPower said their will collaborate across multiple phases to deliver high-performance and high-power cells. A separate agreement will define product specifications, performance targets, and commercial timelines.
The partners said they are developing high-performance pouch cell designs for mission-critical applications, targeting:
- Safe, high-energy applications: Cells will exceed 350 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) for high-energy applications while maintaining industry-leading safety. EnPower and Anthro Energy said they will achieve this by combining synergistic electrolyte and separator technologies.
- Specialty high-power applications: The companies will develop high-rate or ultra-high rate capability for applications needing lift (drones) or ride-through power (AI data centers).
More specifically, the companies are targeting applications across defense, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), drones, robotics, embodied AI systems, and public safety equipment.
“As one of the only end-to-end domestic cell makers right-sized for defense and critical infrastructure markets, EnPower is strategically positioned to serve as an integrator of domestic battery technologies and a vector for rapid commercialization,” said Adrian Yao, founder and CEO of EnPower. “Anthro is an excellent example of this, and we are excited to augment our platforms with advanced electrolytes to deliver on a wide variety of customer needs.”
Anthro Energy recently announced plans to establish a large-scale, U.S.-owned and operated advanced electrolyte manufacturing facility in Louisville, Ky. This will be just two hours away from EnPower’s 92,000 sq. ft. (8,547 sq. m) Indianapolis facility.
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