Flint Paper Battery: World’s First Commercial Zinc-Ion Rollable Power Source

LAS VEGAS, CES 2026 — The long-standing quest for a battery that is both physically flexible and environmentally benign reached a historic milestone this week. Flint Energy, a UK-based pioneer in sustainable energy, has officially unveiled the world's first commercial paper battery. Unlike the rigid, metallic cells that have powered our gadgets for decades, the Flint Paper Battery is thin, rollable, and—perhaps most remarkably—compostable.

This launch signals a paradigm shift for the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable industries, providing a "green" alternative to the billions of lithium coin cells that currently end up in landfills every year.

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The Tech Behind the Fold

The Flint Paper Battery is built on a foundation of cellulose paper, which serves as both the mechanical substrate and the electrolyte separator. Using a proprietary roll-to-roll printing process, Flint coats the paper with conductive inks to form a functional battery in a single, ultra-thin layer.

• Chemistry: A zinc-ion system featuring a zinc anode and a manganese oxide cathode.
• Electrolyte: An aqueous (water-based) solution that eliminates the fire risks associated with the organic solvents found in lithium-ion batteries.
• Flexibility: The battery can be rolled to a 1mm radius and has been tested to survive over 1,000 bends without losing conductivity.

"In a world where we are putting sensors on everything from milk cartons to medical bandages, the battery can no longer be a rigid brick," says a Flint representative. "It has to be as adaptable as the materials it powers."

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Key Performance Specifications

While paper batteries have historically struggled with energy density, Flint’s 2026 commercial iteration bridges the gap for low-to-mid-power applications.

Feature	Specification
Energy Density	100 Wh/kg (scalable via multi-layer stacking)
Capacity	1,000 mAh (AA-size equivalent)
Cycle Life	500+ cycles at 80% capacity retention
Charging	30 minutes to reach 80% charge
Operating Temp	-20°C to 60°C
Safety	Non-flammable; remains operational even if punctured

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Redefining Sustainability: From Gadget to Garden

The most disruptive feature of the Flint battery is its end-of-life story. Because it avoids rare-earth metals like cobalt and lithium, its environmental footprint is a fraction of traditional cells.

• 95% Recyclable: The zinc and manganese components are easily recovered.
• Compostable: The cellulose structure is designed to break down in soil within 6 months, leaving behind no toxic residues.
• Ethical Sourcing: By utilizing abundant minerals, Flint avoids the human rights and environmental concerns often tied to lithium and cobalt mining.

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Real-World Applications and Partnerships

Flint isn't just a lab concept; it is already entering the supply chains of global giants. The company confirmed pilot programs with Unilever for smart, self-powered packaging and Avery Dennison for next-generation RFID logistics labels.

Other key use cases debuting in 2026 include:

• Medical Patches: Disposable, skin-conformable sensors for continuous glucose monitoring.
• Smart Labels: Tracking tags for high-value shipping that can be recycled along with the cardboard box.
• E-Textiles: Energy storage woven into garments that can withstand the rigors of movement.

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Pricing and Availability

Flint Energy has positioned its paper battery to compete directly with traditional alkaline and lithium coin cells on price. By leveraging roll-to-roll printing—the same tech used to print newspapers—production costs are kept remarkably low.

Pre-orders for the Flint Paper Battery open in Q2 2026, with volume pricing estimated between $0.10 and $0.50 per unit. As the world faces ongoing lithium shortages, Flint's zinc-ion alternative stands ready to power the next generation of "disposable" but responsible tech.

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