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Nano One and Euro Manganese to Co-develop Applications for High-Purity Manganese in Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials

  • Nano One and Euro Manganese have entered into a Joint Development Agreement.
  • Joint activities will focus on developing manganese products expected to be produced by Euro Manganese for use in cathode materials made by Nano One, in the context of rapidly rising demand for high-purity manganese products.
  • Manganese will be sourced by Euro Manganese’s proposed Chvaletice Manganese Project and refined into high purity manganese products.
  • Cathode materials will be made using Nano One’s patented One-Pot, M2CAM, and coated nanocrystal technologies.

Nano One® is a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, and Euro Manganese is a battery raw materials company developing a significant manganese deposit in the Czech Republic. Both companies are pleased to announce a Joint Development Agreement.

The two companies will collaborate on developing economically viable and environmentally sustainable applications of high-purity manganese expected to be produced by Euro Manganese from its proposed Chvaletice Manganese Project. The manganese will be evaluated by Nano One in the formation of its innovative cathode materials including LNMO (lithium nickel manganese oxide) and nickel rich NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide).

LNMO and NMC materials will be prepared using Nano One’s patented One-Pot process, coated nanocrystal powders, and M2CAM technology (Metal direct to Cathode Active Material), enabling the use of sulfate-free metals and lithium carbonate as low-cost and environmentally sustainable feedstocks.

LNMO, also known as high voltage spinel (HVS), and NMC both have great potential in conventional and solid-state battery applications for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronic devices. LNMO delivers energy and power on par with NMC and is more cost-effective because it is manganese-rich, cobalt-free, low in nickel, and does not require excess lithium. LNMO also operates at a voltage that is 25% higher than commercial high nickel cathodes, enabling fewer cells, improved productivity, efficiency, thermal management, and power.

“Nano One has ambitious plans to be a major participant in the battery-driven transformation of mobility and renewable energy storage, and we are doing so by changing how the world makes cathode materials,” said Nano One CEO, Mr. Dan Blondal. “Our LNMO is unique, differentiated, and well-positioned to address the automotive industry’s recent interest in manganese-rich batteries and our coated nanocrystal NMC is targeting demand for increased durability in long-range battery applications. Manganese plays a critical role in both chemistries and we are aligned with Euro Manganese in developing low-cost high-performance cathode materials with a differentiated and environmentally sustainable supply chain.”

Mr. Marco Romero, Euro Manganese’s CEO, said “We are delighted to be working with Nano One on developing ways to use our manganese products in its ground-breaking process for making cathode active materials at a time when demand for high-purity manganese products is rising rapidly. Euro Manganese stands to become a leader in sustainably produced battery-grade manganese products. We look forward to a day when our manganese and Nano One’s cathode materials are an integral part of the world’s battery supply chain and helping drive the electrification of mobility.”