Chinese give thumbs up to Lithium Australia battery cathodes

Lithium battery supply chain disrupter, Lithium Australia, is making significant inroads into the lucrative Chinese and Japanese battery markets, following the successful first stage testing of its “lithium-ferro-phosphate”, or “LFP”, battery cathode material.

According to Lithium Australia, the LFP cathodes- which are used in lithium-ion battery, or “LIB” cells and produced by its wholly-owned subsidiary VSPC – were given a firm thumbs up by DLG Power Battery (Shanghai) Co, or “DLG”, for use in power and energy storage applications.

The cathode material was tested in a commercial, 18650 battery-cell format and assessed under a range of electrochemical and temperature conditions. It was also subjected to long term cycle testing.

Together with DLG, Lithium Australia will market energy storage solutions to domestic, fringe-of-grid and off-grid applications in Australia.

The two companies have already formed a 50:50 joint venture to be called “Soluna Australia” for the exclusive supply and sale of Soluna battery packs and modules Down Under.

The JV partners will also form a technological alliance to fast track the commercialisation of VSPC’s patented cathode powder technology for use in DLG’s batteries.

Target applications include LIB cells for energy storage and large transport vehicles.  

In a related development, VSPC is also in the throes of setting up a supply chain for its Chinese customers in 2021.

Meanwhile, in Japan, VSPC’s lithium-ferro-phosphate cathodes also performed well in initial electrochemical tests conducted by potential Japanese battery cell producing customers, who too were encouraged by the laboratory scale test results.

Lithium Australia said plans were now in place to both refine its LFP product properties for specific applications and prepare for larger scale testing in 2020. If all goes to schedule, the company should become a serious player in the Japanese battery market by 2022.

Lithium Australia has designed and developed a suite of technologies designed to improve resource sustainability in the LIB industry whilst reducing costs and carbon footprints.

To-date, it is the only company that has successfully generated battery cathodes and lithium batteries from mine waste.

It has also used spent batteries as a feed source for the rebirthing of battery cathodes.

Lithium Australia Managing Director Adrian Griffin said: “This year has seen a significant shift in the Chinese battery markets, with greater demand for LFP for use in short-range electric vehicle and energy storage applications.”

“The test results from battery producers in China and Japan show clearly that the performance of VSPC cathode powders is comparable to other materials currently supplied for the production of LFP LIBs.”

“We look forward to furthering our partnerships within the battery industry and, ultimately supplying products that meet not only VSPC’s stringent quality specifications, but those of its international customers.”

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