Flint’s Compostable paper batteries with water electrolytes

 

During CES 2025, Flint introduces its compostable paper batteries made of water-based electrolytes, an anode, a cathode, and a separator. With these main parts on hand, Flint’s paper batteries can take a flexible or any shape. So far, as a standard design, these materials are packed in a vacuum-sealed casing. At the end of their lifecycle, users can recycle parts of the batteries or use them for composting. The Singapore-based startup says that composting starts by removing the vacuum-sealed casing and exposing the parts to natural elements like sunlight, rain, and soil.

 

These environmental factors trigger the degradation until the compostable paper batteries break down into harmless components. Flint adds that their paper batteries have a longer lifespan than traditional batteries because they’re rechargeable and use safe chemistry. During testing, the research team is able to power a fan even if the compostable paper batteries are cut in half, providing electricity to the fan without a single spark or temperature rise. They add that their invention does not contain lithium, cobalt, and nickel, unlike traditional batteries.

flint compostable paper batteries
all images courtesy of Flint Co.

 

 

Fire-proof, water-based invention that can power up grids

 

Flint’s research team has also subjected their invention to fire. One of the most dangerous threats to traditional batteries is flames because batteries can explode or release toxic fumes under high heat. With the compostable paper batteries, Flint tries to light them up on fire and demonstrates how their invention endures direct flames without burning or emitting harmful substances. These batteries can’t catch fire because of the water electrolytes as well as the use of cellulose as a key material. In fact, it’s because of this cellulose, which is an ingredient for making paper, that this invention bears the name ‘paper batteries.’

 

The Flint team is still testing their compostable invention under extreme conditions. They’ve gathered a promising result so far because the batteries can still operate in temperatures that are twice as high or low as what traditional ones can endure. In terms of production, Flint plans to adopt the manufacturing process of the lithium-ion ones for its compostable paper batteries. The team knows it poses a challenge, but they’re still going for it to allow for ‘rapid scalability and compatibility with existing infrastructure.’ There’s no news yet on the expected release date or year of the project, but once Flint’s compostable paper batrteries make it, users can use them in their personal gadgets and wearable technology as well as to power grids, appliances, and even for space tech applications.

flint compostable paper batteries
Flint’s compostable paper batteries can take a flexible or any shape

flint compostable paper batteries
as a standard design, a vacuum-sealed casing is the packaging of the batteries

 users can recycle parts of the batteries or use them for composting
users can recycle parts of the batteries or use them for composting

at the end of their lifecycle, users can remove the vacuum-sealed casing to begin degradation
at the end of their lifecycle, users can remove the vacuum-sealed casing to begin degradation

 

 

project info:

 

name: Compostable paper batteries

design: Flint