Lithium Australia is one step closer to bringing its lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode powder prequalification plant to reality after results from independent testing confirmed its product proved more stable than the two leading commercial brands and the combination of commercial grade graphite and LFP demonstrated the potential to support long-lifetime cell designs.
The testing was undertaken by NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions as part of a customer joint materials selection program to independently validate the quality of Lithium Australia subsidiary VSPC’s LFP product to support offtake development.
VSPC supplied a sample of its energy product for testing against two leading commercial brands. The results showed its LFP was the most stable of the three samples tested and indicated the combination of commercial grade graphite and VSPC’s LFP has the potential to support for long-lifetime cell designs.
Lithium Australia, which recently applied to the ASX to reclassify as a materials entity, not an explorer, is seeking to develop a viable – indeed improved – alternative to the conventional rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that use lithium cobalt oxide. The subsidiary argues current lithium batteries are toxic and unstable at high temperatures.
At the conclusion of the comparative testing, Lithium Australia says that of the three LFP samples tested, VSPC’s LFP was the most stable, demonstrating commercial viability of the product. Cells with VSPC LFP and NOVONIX graphite demonstrated the strongest performance of all material combinations tested.
Lithium Australia chief executive officer Simon Linge said: “These independent results from NOVONIX confirm our belief that we have an LFP battery cathode material that currently competes with the best in the market. The results assist us in our current discussions with potential offtake partners and, consequently, takes us one step closer to bringing our pre-qualification plant to realisation.”
Last year the company completed an engineering study for its pre-qualification plant that aims to support a proposal to expand its current pilot facility to a size capable of providing sufficient samples for prospective customers to trial. The company expects it will help determine the optimal commercialisation pathway in addition to allowing engagement with offtake and joint development partners.
The company says it eventually wants a plant producing at least 10,000 tonnes a year which it believes will make it one of the few significant LFP producers outside China.
Lithium Australia has pivoted in recent times from its original purpose as a minerals explorer to concentrate on recycling technologies and lithium processing, culminating in a request last November to the ASX to reclassify as a materials entity. The recent pivot has not only given Lithium Australia a sharper focus on its direction, it led to a top-up of coffers. Last December, the company exited a stake in the Greenbushes South lithium project, selling its 20 per cent share to partner Galan Lithium for $2 million in cash and $1 million worth of Galan shares.
The deal also came with the first right of refusal for Lithium Australia to take up to 20 per cent of Galan’s share of LFP from Greenbushes.
The company believes the latest testing results support its commitment to commercialise its LFP cathode manufacturing technology and provides further support for offtake discussions.
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By Michael Philipps
