China’s Ministry of Commerce, the country’s trade regulator, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, its policy adviser, have revised the national list of technologies subject to export controls for the fourth time since 2001. The move inserts lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery-cathode preparation technology into the “restricted” column—requiring exporters to obtain a licence—while deleting three construction-related...
READ MOREBHP—the world’s biggest listed miner and a heavyweight in iron ore, copper and metallurgical coal—has struck memoranda of understanding with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), China’s battery behemoth, and FinDreams Battery, the cell-making arm of EV giant BYD. Together they will develop battery-electric haul trucks, locomotives and on-site charging kits for BHP operations worldwide. The goal:...
READ MOREThe Battery Metals Association of Canada, a trade organization representing battery-metals explorers and producers, has released comprehensive reports identifying Western Canada as an optimal location for mid-stream critical-minerals processing facilities that could capture greater economic value from the country’s abundant mineral resources. The analysis, conducted by Transition Accelerator consultants, targets nine critical minerals—including copper, lithium,...
READ MOREContemporary Amperex Technology, China’s largest battery manufacturer, has commenced construction of an integrated battery production facility in Indonesia through a joint venture with Indonesia Battery Corporation and state-owned PT Aneka Tambang. The project targets initial production capacity of 6.9 gigawatt-hours by late 2026, expanding to 15 GWh for electric vehicle applications, while Indonesian officials suggest...
READ MORESK Nexilis, a subsidiary of SKC specializing in copper foil manufacturing for secondary batteries, has secured a $110 million investment from Japan’s Toyota Tsusho. The deal, formalized at a signing ceremony in Seoul on June 18, 2025, involves the transfer of a partial stake in SK Nexilis’ Malaysian subsidiary to Toyota Tsusho. This partnership is...
READ MOREToshiba, a Japanese electronics and industrial conglomerate, has begun delivering samples of its new rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the ‘SCiB Nb’, to manufacturers. Developed in partnership with Brazilian niobium producer CBMM and Japanese trading company Sojitz Corporation, the battery utilizes a niobium-titanium oxide (NTO) anode to deliver an estimated service life of 15,000 cycles and an...
READ MORECurrent Nickel Price Trends The nickel market has seen significant volatility in recent months. As of early 2025, nickel prices have recovered slightly from the sharp downturn experienced in mid-2023, driven by oversupply and subdued demand in China. Benchmark prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have hovered around $16,000 to $17,500 per metric ton...
READ MORETin is rapidly gaining attention as a crucial material in a range of emerging technologies, particularly in the energy sector. Recent research highlights tin’s role in advancing sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), where tin-based anode materials have demonstrated the ability to significantly improve volumetric energy density—a critical factor in making SIBs competitive with established lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)....
READ MORESwedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania has finalized the acquisition of Northvolt’s heavy-duty industrial battery pack division, marking the first asset sale since Northvolt filed for bankruptcy in March. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The business unit, previously known as Northvolt Systems Industrial, produces battery systems for heavy machinery and equipment used...
READ MORELyten, a leader in lithium-sulfur battery technology, has announced a major breakthrough in U.S. battery manufacturing with the production of the nation’s first battery grade lithium-metal foil made entirely from domestically sourced lithium and alloys. The development marks a significant step toward establishing a resilient, tariff-free U.S. battery supply chain. The company, which already uses...
READ MORESeveral South Korean battery companies are postponing or abandoning joint projects with Chinese partners, as geopolitical risks and shifting market dynamics reshape industry strategies. LG Energy Solution has delayed its planned battery recycling venture with Huayou Cobalt, China’s top cobalt producer. The project, intended to include pre-processing and post-processing facilities in Nanjing and Quzhou, was...
READ MOREAqua Metals, based in Reno, Nevada, has announced the successful completion of bench-scale testing and engineering analysis for its innovative process to recycle lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials. This milestone positions the company as a leader in addressing the recycling challenges posed by LFP batteries, which are becoming the dominant chemistry for electric vehicles...
READ MORECOBCO, 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...
READ MOREScientists have uncovered approximately 18 million tons of lithium beneath the Salton Sea in Southern California, a discovery valued at $540 billion. This find, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, positions the Salton Sea as one of the world’s largest lithium brine deposits and could significantly boost the United States’ clean energy ambitions. Lithium...
READ MOREThe global lithium market is undergoing significant changes in 2025, driven by rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage solutions alongside advancements in extraction technologies. Despite recent price volatility, industry experts remain optimistic about long-term growth as the clean energy transition continues to accelerate. At CERAWeek 2025, analysts highlighted the persistent gap between...
READ MOREFinland’s state-owned Finnish Minerals Group will co-develop a battery materials factory in Kotka valued at €800 million (approximately $872 million), the company announced. The plant will be constructed by Easpring Finland New Materials, a joint venture in which China’s Beijing Easpring Material Technology holds a 70% stake and the Finnish Minerals Group owns the remaining...
READ MORELithium-ion battery recycler Aqua Metals has successfully produced what it claims to be the first cathode active material (CAM) made entirely from domestically sourced recycled nickel. This breakthrough represents a significant step toward building a cleaner and more secure U.S. battery supply chain. Using its proprietary AquaRefining process, Reno-based Aqua Metals recovered high-purity nickel from...
READ MOREMobec Innovation has inaugurated its first lithium battery recycling facility in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with an annual processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes. The plant aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported critical minerals while aligning with national sustainability goals. The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has granted environmental certifications for the facility. Expanding beyond its...
READ MOREBelgian recycling and smelting company Umicore reported a 22% drop in adjusted EBITDA for 2024, reaching 763 million euros. While the catalysts segment remained profitable, the battery materials business saw a significant downturn, and recycling profits also declined. The company forecasts its 2025 EBITDA to be between 720 million and 780 million euros, with catalysts...
READ MOREIndonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) has announced plans to develop a nickel-based electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling plant by 2031. The initiative, revealed by IBC President Director Toto Nugroho, aims to recycle more than 99% of battery components, supporting the long-term sustainability of Indonesia’s nickel industry. “The nickel used in car batteries can be recycled and...
READ MORELG Energy Solution announced it will begin full-scale production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) in the U.S. in the second half of 2025. The expansion is supported by a 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) debt guarantee to fund facility investments at its Michigan plant. Originally designed as a North...
READ MOREUmicore experienced a difficult 2024, with its performance affected by weaker demand for electric vehicles, declining metal prices, and economic challenges in the European industrial sector. Despite these pressures, the company’s core businesses remained stable, and efficiency measures helped mitigate some financial difficulties. Group revenues for 2024 were €3.5 billion, down from €3.9 billion in...
READ MORERio Tinto is exploring the use of intermittent renewable energy for its aluminium smelters, citing falling battery prices as a key factor in making the shift economically viable. Jerome Pecresse, head of Rio’s aluminium division, stated that transitioning to renewable power supported by battery storage is becoming increasingly feasible for the Boyne smelter in Queensland...
READ MORELithium battery recycling is emerging as a key solution for reducing environmental impact and securing future supplies of critical battery metals. A Stanford University study highlights that recycling lithium-ion batteries emits less than half the greenhouse gases (GHGs) of traditional mining while using only a quarter of the water and energy. Recycling defective scrap materials...
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