Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers have developed a new family of cathodes with the potential to replace the costly cobalt-based cathodes typically found in today’s lithium-ion batteries. The new class, called NFA (nickel, iron, aluminum), is a derivative of lithium nickelate that’s used as a cathode material. These novel cathodes are designed to be… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "cobalt"
TNO and partners secure grant to develop cobalt-free batteries
The European Commission has awarded an €11.8-million grant to the COBRA (CObalt-free Batteries for futuRe Automotive applications) project, which aims to develop next-generation cobalt-free batteries. The project started earlier this year and will run until January 2024. Dutch research organization TNO will collaborate in the development of cobalt-free EV batteries by validating battery cell improvements… Read more »
SVOLT launches cobalt-free batteries for Great Wall EVs
Chinese automotive battery company SVOLT, a Great Wall Motors spin-off, has officially launched two cobalt-free batteries. In 2019, the company unveiled both the cobalt-free lithium-ion battery cells (NMx) and four-element lithium-ion battery cells (NCMA). At the product launch livestream event, SVOLT President Yang Hongxin said that the NMx battery cell rivals the NCM811 cell in… Read more »
First Cobalt performs feasibility study for Canadian cobalt refinery expansion
First Cobalt has announced positive results from an independent feasibility study conducted on its permitted cobalt refinery in Ontario, Canada. The study contemplates expanding the existing facility and adapting it to be North America’s first producer of cobalt sulfate, an essential component in the manufacturing of EV batteries. Study highlights: Annual production of 25,000 tons… Read more »
Majority of demand for nickel and cobalt coming from 5 battery suppliers
In 2019, over 59,000 tons of nickel and 14,400 tons of cobalt were deployed globally in passenger EV batteries, a one-year increase of 39% and 34%, respectively, according to data from Adamas Intelligence’s EV Battery Capacity and Battery Metals Tracker. Panasonic used 51% of the global market share of nickel (down from 56% in 2018),… Read more »
Report: cobalt supply for EV batteries is adequate for now, but should be scaled up to meet future demands
The growth of the EV market depends on the continued availability of key materials such as cobalt, an element used in battery cathodes. Scientists from the American Chemical Society (ACS) wanted to find out if planned cobalt expansions could keep pace with this rapid growth. Their research, published in the ACS journal Environmental Science &… Read more »
SK Innovation and Glencore sign six-year cobalt supply deal
Global mining giant Glencore has signed a deal to supply Korean battery-maker SK Innovation with up to 30,000 tons of cobalt contained in hydroxide between 2020 and 2025. Glencore expects global demand for cobalt for EV batteries to reach 92 kilotons by 2025. The quantity of cobalt supplied under this contract will allow SK Innovation… Read more »
FCA aims to develop a more ethical cobalt supply chain
Fiat Chrysler (FCA) recently joined forces with the Responsible Sourcing Blockchain Network in a move to improve its sustainability efforts. The automaker will begin using blockchain technology to help ensure sustainable sourcing and production practices through audits that map the mining history of its raw cobalt supply. The first of these blockchain-powered audits is set… Read more »
Nickel, cobalt, and manganese use continues to grow, despite slowdown in global EV market
After China reduced EV incentives earlier this year, the global monthly drop in EV sales continued into October, which saw a 19% reduction in passenger EV sales versus the same month the year prior, according to Adamas Intelligence. On top of this downturn, the global sales-weighted average passenger EV’s battery capacity, a metric that has… Read more »
Tesla’s “responsible sourcing” policy for cobalt and other exotics
How do you solve a problem like cobalt? The blue metallic element is used in significant quantities in EV batteries, but half the world’s supply of comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a war-torn land in which child labor is common. Several automakers are already taking steps to reduce their use of the costly… Read more »