COBCO, a battery materials joint venture between AL MADA and CNGR Advanced Materials, has signed a long-term agreement to supply precursor cathode active materials (pCAM) to Umicore, a global leader in circular materials technology. The deal will see COBCO deliver nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) pCAM from its newly commissioned production facility in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, to support Umicore’s cathode active material (CAM) production for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Europe and beyond. The partnership aims to strengthen a sustainable, low-carbon battery value chain in the EMEA region.
COBCO’s Jorf Lasfar plant, operational since early 2025, leverages Morocco’s renewable energy resources to minimize its carbon footprint. The facility adheres to stringent environmental standards and is part of COBCO’s broader plan to establish an integrated battery materials ecosystem. This includes future production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials and black mass recycling, with a combined capacity equivalent to 70 GWh annually—enough to power over 1 million EVs. The initiative aligns with global efforts to decarbonize EV supply chains.
Allen Luo, CEO of COBCO, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: “This agreement marks a milestone in our ambition to become a key supplier of low-carbon, high-quality battery materials. We are proud to support Umicore’s circularity commitments while anchoring critical production in Morocco.” Umicore’s use of COBCO’s pCAM will enhance its ability to meet growing demand for sustainable battery components in Europe’s automotive sector.
The collaboration underscores Morocco’s emerging role in the global EV supply chain, combining renewable energy infrastructure with strategic geographic positioning near European markets. COBCO’s facility also prioritizes local economic impact, creating jobs and fostering technological transfer in the region.
