Summary
- Nano One Materials conducted a study with Worley Chemetics to demonstrate the economic advantages of their One-Pot process for lithium iron phosphate cathode production
- The One-Pot process could reduce total invested capital costs and operational costs of plants by at least 30% and use up to 80% less energy
- The process eliminates the need for iron and phosphate precursor steps, reducing complexity, costs, footprint, and energy consumption
- Nano One and Worley are accelerating the engineering and qualification of vendor equipment to complete the LFP CAM Technology Package
- They entered into a strategic alliance agreement and license agreement in May 2024 and are jointly developing, marketing, and licensing the LFP CAM Package
Article
Nano One Materials, a developer of battery cathode active materials (CAM), has collaborated with chemical processing company Worley Chemetics to showcase the economic benefits of Nano One’s patented One-Pot process for producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes. Through a comparative analysis, it was revealed that the One-Pot process could reduce total invested capital costs and operational costs of two 25,000-tonne-per-year plants by at least 30%, while using up to 80% less energy than traditional methods. Additionally, One-Pot eliminates sodium sulphate wastewater and could utilize up to 80% less process water, making it a promising alternative in the industry.
The innovative One-Pot process streamlines the production of LFP cathodes by integrating the iron and phosphate precursor steps with the lithium addition step in a high-efficiency thermal process. This integration reduces complexity, costs, footprint, and energy consumption, making it more feasible to site, permit, construct, and operate a plant. Nano One and Worley have also completed the layout of a modular plant and are expediting the engineering and qualification of vendor equipment to finalize the LFP CAM Technology Package, showcasing their commitment to advancing this groundbreaking technology.
In May 2024, Worley and Nano One entered into a strategic alliance agreement and a license agreement to jointly develop, market, and license the LFP CAM Package. Furthermore, Nano One acquired an LFP production facility in Candiac, Québec, from Johnson Matthey in the fourth quarter of 2022, which is serving as a launchpad for Nano One and Worley’s “design-one-build-many” licensing strategy. Expansion of capacity at the plant has been supported by a $12.9-million award from the US Department of Defense, announced in September 2024, while the design and construction of equipment have received C$2.8 million in funding from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).
Laura Leonard, the Worley Group President of Technology Solutions, expressed, “We are working collaboratively with Nano One on initial sales efforts while developing a detailed LFP CAM technology package for potential licensees.” This partnership between Nano One and Worley highlights their shared dedication to advancing lithium iron phosphate cathode production technology and commercializing it for widespread adoption in the battery industry. Through their collaboration, they aim to offer a more cost-effective and sustainable method for producing cathode active materials, ultimately benefiting the environment and driving innovation in the energy storage sector.
The results of the study conducted by Nano One and Worley demonstrate the significant economic advantages that the One-Pot process can offer in comparison to traditional methods. By reducing both capital and operational costs, utilizing less energy and water, and eliminating sodium sulphate wastewater, this innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the production of lithium iron phosphate cathodes. With ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize the LFP CAM Technology Package, Nano One and Worley are paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in battery manufacturing, setting a new standard for the industry while driving innovation and cost savings for companies seeking to adopt this cutting-edge technology.
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