XBM USA Names Dr. Jon Shan Chief Technology Officer

The NextGen High-Performance + Sustainable US Made Battery Materials Supply Chain Starts Here…

Battery materials veteran joins XBM to accelerate commercialization of its Sulfur cathode and carbon battery technology platform made from industrial byproducts

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, August 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Xponential Battery Materials (XBM USA), a developer of U.S.-made, domestically sourced high-performance battery materials, today announced the appointment of Jon Shan, PhD as Chief Technology Officer, strengthening the company's leadership team as it moves to commercialize its lithium-sulfur cathode and carbon-chemistry battery technology platform. XBM's critical battery cathode and anode materials are produced from low-cost, domestically abundant industrial byproducts, including sulfur, lignin, and tannin — designed to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign-controlled battery supply chains.

Dr. Shan brings more than 20 years of scientific, product development and commercialization experience in battery materials, having worked with leading U.S. battery companies including Navitas Systems, Lyten, Amprius, and QuantumScape. Throughout his career, he has managed and helped develop cutting-edge battery materials, products and systems for multiple government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of War, and NASA.

“After several years of collaborating and working with emerging battery materials start-ups, including XBM while serving as a Senior R&D Manager at Navitas Systems, I have seen firsthand the potential of the CarbonX platform,” said Dr. Shan. “I also recognize that two of the most promising next-generation technologies, lithium-sulfur cathodes and Silicon-based anodes are approaching near-term commercialization, while competition is intensifying rapidly. XBM’s carbon materials platform provides a strong foundation for advancing both technologies. My focus is now on turning that technology advantage into commercially scalable and viable lithium-sulfur cathode and silicon-graphite anode and hard carbon anode materials while helping build a strong, U.S.-based domestic supply chain for advanced battery materials.”

XBM's CarbonX platform converts low-value byproducts from the petroleum and paper and pulp industries into some of the world's most advanced battery cathode and anode materials — sourced and manufactured entirely in the Americas. XBM is collaborating with academic institutions and domestic suppliers to build out the raw feedstock supply chain for CarbonX.

The appointment comes as the United States seeks to reduce its dependence on Asian battery supply chains. China currently controls more than 90% of the global supply chain for graphite battery anode materials, and is now subject to export restrictions between the U.S. and Chinese governments. “XBM is moving from technology development to commercialization,” said Phil Roberts, XBM's CEO. “With Dr. Shan on board, XBM is positioned to ramp up production of the CarbonX platform for next-generation U.S. battery cathodes and anodes. We are delighted to welcome him to a pioneering group of scientists and business leaders who look forward to Dr. Shan leading the commercialization of our flagship lithium-sulfur cathode and carbon-chemistry battery cathode host and synthetic graphite/silicon/hard carbon anode products. We are building these technologies around materials the United States already has in abundance — creating a fundamentally different domestic supply chain, one built around abundant, low-cost feedstocks rather than imported critical materials.”

XBM's flagship battery cell products are being developed initially for electric aviation applications, including eVTOL aircraft and drones, where high energy density and low weight are critical. The company's high-capacity, lightweight sulfur cathode and silicon anode cell system integrates XBM's proprietary electrolytes, binders, and other technologies into a complete battery cell chemistry/materials package across a range of applications and formats.

About XBM USA www.xbmusa.com Media contact: info@xbmusa.com
Xponential Battery Materials (XBM USA) develops and produces high-performance, U.S.-made NextGen battery cathode and anode materials from sustainable, domestically sourced industrial byproducts.

Phillip Roberts
XBM USA LLC
pkroberts@xbmusa.com

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