NOVONIX Limited, a leading battery materials and technology company, and ICoNiChem Widnes Limited, a world leader in the production and commercialization of cobalt and nickel salts based in the UK, have announced the signing of a Joint Collaboration Agreement focused on the development of nickel-based cathode active materials (“CAM”).
NOVONIX and ICoNiChem have been selected for funding under the 2024 Canada-UK critical minerals call for proposals, which is focused on advancing projects related to critical minerals essential for industries like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and electronics. To support their participation in the project, NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions Inc., a Canadian division of NOVONIX, is receiving advisory services and up to CAD $127,928 in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (“NRC IRAP”), while ICoNiChem is receiving support through Innovate UK. The 2-year project, with a total budget of CAD $515,686 between NOVONIX and ICoNiChem, aims to further improve the sustainability of the NOVONIX all-dry, zero-waste technology by incorporating recycled metal feedstock, such as cobalt and nickel carbonates and oxides, into the process.
Dr. Chris Burns, CEO of NOVONIX said, “NOVONIX will utilize its patented all-dry, zero-waste synthesis process to synthesize, test, and analyze cathode active materials that will incorporate ICoNiChem’s recycled cobalt and nickel. Our involvement reflects our continued commitment to advancing sustainable solutions, reducing cathode processing cost, and strengthening the critical mineral supply chain across North America, the UK, and beyond.”
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Berk Sengul, Managing Director of ICoNiChem said “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a world class company like NOVONIX to develop a UK supply chain for nickel-based cathode active materials. The project will strengthen ICoNiChem’s position as a global player in cobalt and nickel materials”
ICoNiChem will provide various recycled materials, including cobalt and nickel carbonates or oxides, throughout the project to compare and demonstrate optimal performance in cathode powders. The project will utilize NOVONIX’s cathode pilot line, as well as other services from NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions, to support the characterization of project materials including their physical and electrochemical performance. Materials will be built into full scale pouch cells to benchmark performance relative to other leading cathode materials.
Upon successful completion of milestones, NOVONIX may enter into commercial agreements for ICoNiChem products with the goal of integrating recycled feed into its CAM production processes moving forward.
SOURCE: NOVONIX