Rosatom Enterprises Supply New Battery Gigafactory With Unique Components
Krypton-85 radioisotope sources are used in the manufacture of lithium-ion energy storage systems. Localizing the supply of these sources will help ensure stable production of advanced batteries in the Moscow region and reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions.
Manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells requires coating extremely thin metal foil with an active material. The thickness and uniformity of this coating determine the energy capacity, safety, and service life of the finished energy storage system. Even a deviation of just a few micrometers can cause localized overheating and render an entire production batch defective. Radioisotope thickness gauges are used on production lines to monitor these parameters. Their sensors rely on krypton-85, an inert gas that emits beta radiation.
The radiation sources were manufactured at Mayak Production Association, a federal state unitary enterprise. V/O Izotop (All-Regional Association Izotop) arranged their delivery to the gigafactory and integration into its production process. All three companies are part of the state-owned Rosatom Corporation.
The factory in New Moscow, which began operations a month ago, is designed to produce lithium-ion energy storage systems with a combined annual capacity of 4 GWh. This is equivalent to up to 18 million cells and 50,000 traction batteries. The facility has more than 450 industrial robots and 1,400 pieces of equipment, with production automation reaching 95%. Even a small reduction in the defect rate could deliver significant economic benefits. The factory is part of the battery manufacturing infrastructure Rosatom is building.
Import Substitution and Quality Improvements
Until recently, electronics manufacturers relied heavily on foreign suppliers of radioisotope products. Logistics disruptions and sanctions-related restrictions posed direct risks to production continuity. Launching domestic supplies of krypton-85 significantly reduces those risks.
Modern gigafactories operate continuous-flow production lines, making manual sampling and laboratory measurements too time-consuming. Optical and mechanical methods also often fall short of isotope-based techniques in terms of accuracy and stability. Radioisotope sensors significantly speed up production by transmitting telemetry data to industrial controllers in real time.
In Russia, the project's immediate prospects are primarily linked to Rosatom's second gigafactory in Kaliningrad region. Supplies of krypton-85 sources to the facility are scheduled to begin in November 2026. If the technology proves effective, it could become standard practice across all of the corporation's battery manufacturing facilities.
The technology also has export potential. V/O Izotop already works with 170 foreign companies in 50 countries and ships approximately 2,500 consignments of isotope products for export each year. China, India, and other countries expanding their battery, electronics, metallurgical products, and advanced materials industries could become promising markets for increased supplies of industrial-grade krypton-85.
Building a Fully Integrated Supply Chain
Large-scale battery manufacturing, which now creates demand for Russian radioisotope measurement technologies, began taking shape in 2022. That year, Rosatom started building its first lithium-ion energy storage factory in the Kaliningrad region, with an annual production capacity of 4 GWh. The facility was commissioned in 2025.
In 2024, Mayak Production Association developed krypton-85 ionizing radiation sources for industrial measurement equipment. The project was launched after foreign suppliers withdrew from the Russian market. Pulp and paper manufacturers were the initial customers, but the technology was subsequently adapted for use in other industries.
In early October 2026, Rosatom launched its second major energy storage manufacturing facility in New Moscow. The site uses hundreds of industrial robots and automated production lines. The integration of radioisotope thickness gauges powered by Russian-made krypton-85 further expanded the plant's technological capabilities.
Scaling Up Production and Strengthening Global Market Position
As new production lines come online and manufacturers expand the range of battery cells they produce, demand for krypton-85 is expected to continue growing. Reliable isotope supplies provide a technological foundation for large-scale production of Russian-made lithium-ion batteries.
This strengthens Russia's position in the global energy storage systems market and supports the country's technological sovereignty in a strategically important segment of the electronics industry.
