Nano One unveils cost-saving agitator for cathode production

Key takeaways:

• Nano One’s new agitator for cathode production reduces capital investment by over 30%. It also reduces operating costs by up to 30% and energy use by as much as 80%.
• The process integrates pCAM and CAM production, simplifying permitting, cutting costs and reducing energy and water use. It aligns with energy storage and data center priorities.
• Five new patents strengthen Nano One’s intellectual property portfolio. These support global protections and licensing opportunities for cathode production technologies.

Introduction to Nano One’s new agitator for cathode production

The equipment is designed to improve the production of cathode active materials (CAM). And the upgrade will support applications in energy storage, data centers and defense, the company’s chief executive officer told Fastmarkets on Thursday August 28.

“The agitator-driven savings of [approximately] 50% were tested first in smaller pilot reactors and now transferred to the large reactors,” CEO Dan Blondal told Fastmarkets.

A joint analysis with Australian engineering group Worley indicated the equipment would require more than 30% lower capital investment. As well as up to 30% lower operating costs. And as much as 80% less energy use compared with conventional methods, according to Blondal.

“The modular plant package and cost study are being marketed to prospective clients,” he said.

Cost-saving benefits of the agitator in cathode production

“We will meet customer needs in smaller volumes at Candiac and in larger volumes with licensees and [joint venture] partners in full scale facilities,” he added.

The process integrates precursor cathode active material (pCAM) and CAM production.

“One-Pot integrates pCAM and CAM production, uses lithium carbonate, eliminates sodium-sulfate wastewater, and uses high-efficiency kilns,” the CEO said.

“[This simplifies] permitting and reduces cost, energy and water, which map to [Battery Energy Storage System] and data center priorities on cost, uptime, localization and scale,” Blondal added.

Environmental and operational impact of the agitator

The CEO also said that the agitator reduces operating intensity by lowering waste, energy and water use.

“An independent [life-cycle assessment] indicates up to 50-60% reduction in [greenhouse gas] emissions and up to 80% less process water compared with conventional routes, supporting lower operating intensity,” Blondal said.

New patents and intellectual property in cathode production

Five new patents and intellectual property were also announced on August 20.

“They strengthen a much larger portfolio of patents and intellectual property, providing protections in jurisdictions around the globe,” Blondal said

“We plan to license a subset of these patents along with flowsheets, major pieces of equipment and plant design to form the [lithium iron phosphate and] CAM package that we are currently co-marketing and co-licensing with Worley to industrial interests,” Blondal added.

Broader project funding and defense collaboration

The agitator’s installation was part of a broader project to scale production at Nano One’s Candiac facility. That project is funded by Nano One, with support from the US Department of Defense and Canadian programs. These include the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), Clean Technology Program and Investissement Québec. As well as Technoclimat and NGen.

“The intent of the award is to catalyze midstream production that not only bolsters defense-relevant supply chains but leads to much larger growth in the private sector to drive resilient, competitive and sustainable markets for the energy security of Americans,” Blondal said.

“We are working with various defense contractors, however there are no supply obligations, priorities or exclusivities at this point,” he added.

Fastmarkets provides transparency into the cost of key Li-ion cell components. See our Battery Cost Index for more.