Novonix and CBMM sign cathode agreement
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The news: Battery technology company Novonix has signed a joint development agreement with Brazilian niobium products supplier CBMM to produce enhanced cathode materials to be used in lithium-ion batteries.
The context: Under the agreement, ASX- and Nasdaq-listed Novonix will synthesise, test, and analyse cathode active materials (CAM) — used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers — that will incorporate CBMM’s suite of niobium products with the goal of developing a CAM with improved performance at a lower cost.
Upon successful completion of milestones during this one-year project, Novonix will have the option to enter into an agreement for CBMM's products to be integrated into its production processes.
Last year, Brisbane-based Novonix commissioned its all-dry, zero-waste cathode pilot line and announced its production of material that matched the performance of leading cathode materials from existing suppliers in full-cell testing.
Since then, the company has shared the results of an independent engineering study that shows potentially significant cost savings and waste reduction of its cathode synthesis process compared to the conventional wet process.
Novonix was recently granted a patent for its cathode synthesis technology in Japan, a key market for the production and use of CAM. The company has continued to produce various grades of mid- and high-nickel cathode material to specifications of potential commercialisation partners and began sampling these pilot scale materials.
CBMM, by far the world's largest producer of niobium metal and its alloys, has invested $80 million in establishing its first industrial-scale niobium oxide refining facility with the intent of providing battery makers with niobium.
What they said: Novonix CEO Chris Burns said: "CBMM’s experience with niobium products allows us to explore the use of important additives to improve the stability and durability of our materials.
"Our agreement with CBMM advances NOVONIX’s strategy to form strong partnerships to demonstrate and commercialize our all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis technology.
"The agreement also demonstrates our continued commitment to developing industry-leading battery materials to service both the electric vehicle and energy storage industries."
The source: ASX announcement
