CarbonX: powering Europe’s battery future from Delft to the world

A silent revolution is unfolding in Europe’s battery industry - and a Dutch startup is right at its core. CarbonX, co-founded by Daniela Sordi and Rutger van Raalten, has developed a breakthrough material that can reshape how batteries are made. With China currently supplying more than 95% of the world’s graphite - the critical anode material in lithium-ion batteries - CarbonX offers a powerful alternative, right from European soil.

At the upcoming Drive Forward event on April 8–9 in Helmond, Sordi and her colleague Sophie Dik will take the stage to spotlight CarbonX’s role in building a more self-sufficient European battery value chain. “For us, it’s important to be part of this ecosystem,” says Sordi. “We’re not just developing a new material, we’re helping create an entirely new supply chain.”

A European answer to a global dependency

CarbonX's innovation lies in its ability to produce a carbon-based material with energy density comparable to traditional graphite - without relying on imports from Asia. By leveraging existing carbon black production infrastructure, the company can already produce up to 100 tons of material per day.

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“To give you an idea,” says Sordi, “for one gigawatt hour of battery capacity, you need about 1,200 tons of anode material. That means we could support 1 GWh in roughly 10 days even at current capacity.”

The potential impact is massive, not just for Europe’s green ambitions, but also for strategic autonomy. “It’s not about being anti-China or anti-US,” Sordi explains. “It’s about ensuring every continent can build its own sustainable battery ecosystem. Our heart is in Europe, and our first production plant will be here, most likely in the Netherlands.”

Embedded in the Dutch battery ecosystem

Though CarbonX may still be a young company, its roots in the Dutch innovation landscape run deep. The startup spun out off TU Delft and is part of the National Growth Fund (NGF) programs where it collaborates with companies such as LionVolt, LeydenJar, and imec on the next generation of energy storage technologies.

“Being part of this Dutch ecosystem is crucial,” says Sordi. “We believe in building this ‘village’ together. There’s a strong foundation here: knowledge, research, and growing industrial capacity. What’s missing is a localized supply chain, and that’s where we come in.”

The Drive Forward event will be a platform for CarbonX to further connect with key players such as VDL and DAF and share their vision with policymakers, automotive leaders, and battery manufacturers. “We want to understand how the Netherlands intends to grow its role in the battery supply chain,” says Sordi. “We don’t have cell makers here, but we can still play a leading role in materials and technology.”

Scaling up and looking ahead

CarbonX’s ambitions aren’t just talk. Backed by recent investments and validation from international clients, the company is already working toward the construction of a dedicated production facility. Their goal: a 12,000-ton per year line in Europe.

“In the short term, we’re leveraging existing plants that produce carbon black for the tire industry,” explains Dik. “But long term, we need our own facilities. The moment demand spikes - and it will - we must be ready. We can’t depend on shared infrastructure forever.”

While Europe remains CarbonX’s primary focus, the company also has its eyes on expansion into the U.S., where battery production is ramping up fast. “Each continent needs its own solution,” says Dik. “CarbonX can help enable that independence, wherever the need arises.”

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From hidden player to industry shaper

Despite already operating at an industrial scale, CarbonX remains relatively under the radar. That’s about to change.

“We’re not your typical early-stage startup,” says Dik. “We’re already producing 100 tons a day. But because our material isn’t yet inside commercial batteries, people don’t always realize we exist, or how far we’ve come.”

Events like Drive Forward are key to changing that. The CarbonX team hopes their presence in Helmond will help raise awareness, forge new collaborations, and inspire more European investment into battery technology and infrastructure.

“It’s about amplifying the message,” Sordi says. “We have a real solution for one of Europe’s biggest challenges. And the best part? It’s already here.”