The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - February 13, 2023
To further solidify Quebec as a vital link in North America's lithium-ion battery supply chain, the provincial government is providing Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. with up to C$3.6 million (US$2.7 million) to further develop technologies to sustainably transform mined graphite into battery-grade anode material for electric vehicles.
"The funding announced today will boost our manufacturing capabilities and battery materials expertise right here in the province to serve the growing EV market," Nouveau Monde Graphite Chair Arne Frandsen said in a Feb. 10 statement of the funding.
As the primary anode material, graphite is the single largest ingredient in the typical lithium-ion batteries powering EVs. Before mined graphite can be packed into anodes, however, flakes of this carbon material are rolled into potato-shaped spheres that allow for increased energy density and then coated with a hard carbon shell that improves performance and durability.
Commercial production of this important lithium battery ingredient, referred to as coated spherical graphite or advanced anode material, is currently monopolized by China.
Nouveau Monde is working toward establishing a complete lithium battery anode material supply chain in Quebec that includes a facility in the province's emerging Battery Valley that upgrades graphite recovered from its Matawinie Mine into the coated spherical graphite in high demand by automakers in North America and Europe.
Now, the Quebec government is investing in technologies aimed at lowering the environmental footprint of coating spherical graphite at the plant near the town of Becancour – a top priority for Nouveau Monde and future automaking clients that want to build their EV transformation with the most sustainable materials.
"By investing in our portfolio of technologies, we are shaking off our dependence on Chinese production lines and supporting the development of an environmentally responsible and ethical battery industry in the Western World," said Nouveau Monde Graphite President and CEO Eric Desaulniers. "NMG is positioning itself at the forefront of this growing sector with its fully integrated mine-to-anode-material model, its ESG commitment, and its business relationships."
Quebec's latest support for Nouveau Monde's endeavors includes C$3 million (US$2.2 million) to support an advanced coating technology being developed by the graphite company that would supplant the petroleum-based products typically used to coat anode graphite in favor of a more environmentally friendly biomass-based carbon product.
It is estimated that Nouveau Monde's innovative coating technology could reduce energy consumption by up to 25%, shrink the environmental footprint of its products, and diversify the carbon coating precursor sources for greater flexibility in anode material production.
Overall, the biomass-based carbon coating could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% when compared with using petroleum precursors.
The provincial support of this greener coating process is being made through Quebec's Technoclimat program, a public investment platform dedicated to innovation in energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas.
With the funding, Nouveau Monde will continue to advance biomass-based coating research and development, as well as the implementation of this technology in phase-one operations at the Becancour plant in Battery Valley.
In addition to the C$3 million through the Technoclimat program, another C$600,000 (US$448,000) is being invested by FRQNT, a provincial research fund that supports sustainability science and technologies in Quebec.
Nouveau Monde is applying the FRQNT grant toward the material production of quality graphite with a low environmental impact for the lithium-ion battery sector.
The company intends to develop a series of high electrochemical performance graphite-based composites that are produced from residual materials of its own process, as well as bio-sourced materials.
To accomplish this, Nouveau Monde will work with academic leaders on advanced graphite transformation technologies based on high-performance ecological thermal processes, as well as thermal plasma reactor tech.
The company says Quebec's support for this work and overall critical minerals strategy reinforces its own business plan and supports the deployment of a dynamic and high-performance battery supply in the province to supply the western market.
"In addition to having the required mineral resources for the energy transition, clean hydroelectricity, an established research ecosystem, and an attractive fiscal environment, Quebec has been an exceptional partner throughout all stages of NMG's development," said Frandsen.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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