Euro Manganese and Nano One team up on cathode materials agreement

Euro Manganese Inc (ASX:EMN, TSX-V:EMN, OTCQX:EUMNF) is teaming up with Nano One Materials Corp (TSX:NANO, OTCMKTS:NNOMF, FRA:LBMB) to develop applications for manganese in the cathode materials that will power batteries of the future.

Together, the parties will explore applications for Euro Manganese’s high-purity manganese — sourced from the company’s proposed Chvaletice Project in the Czech Republic — in Nano One’s lithium-ion battery cathode materials.

Both Euro and Nano will collaborate on economically viable and environmentally sustainable manganese applications, which will be evaluated across two types of battery cathode materials.

The joint development agreement follows Nano One’s September 30 announcement that it has struck a new agreement with a global automotive company to focus on low cost, cobalt-free, manganese-rich, LNMO batteries enabled by its patented process.

Over the last two years, Nano One has established formal relationships with three major automotive companies, including Volkswagen and two other global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that have not been named.

The Nano/Euro agreement comes as demand for high-purity manganese continues to rise as automotive brands like Tesla, Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault make the move to manganese-rich battery chemistries.

Working to drive electrification of mobility

Euro Manganese CEO Marco Romero said: “We are delighted to be working with Nano One on developing ways to use our manganese products in its ground-breaking process for making cathode active materials at a time when demand for high-purity manganese products is rising rapidly.

“Euro Manganese stands to become a leader in sustainably produced battery-grade manganese products. 

“We look forward to a day when our manganese and Nano One’s cathode materials are an integral part of the world’s battery supply chain and helping drive the electrification of mobility.” 

Manganese for battery chemistries

Under the joint development agreement, Euro and Nano will work to translate high-purity manganese products for the battery world.

Nano One will test Euro Manganese’s products as it forms its next-generation lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) and nickel-rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cathode materials.

LNMO, also known as high voltage spinel (HVS), and NMC both have great potential in conventional and solid-state battery applications for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage and consumer electronic devices. 

The former chemistry holds particular promise. It delivers energy and power on par with NMC, and is more cost-effective because it is manganese-rich, cobalt-free, low in nickel and does not require excess lithium.

Manganese, which is already an essential battery material in the majority of lithium-ion batteries, is far less costly than nickel or cobalt and can help bring down the cost of batteries, making EVs more affordable.

LNMO also operates at a voltage that is 25% higher than commercial high nickel cathodes, enabling fewer cells, improved productivity, efficiency, thermal management and power.

Changing how the world makes cathode materials

Speaking to the agreement with Euro Manganese, Nano One CEO Dan Blondal said: “Nano One has ambitious plans to be a major participant in the battery-driven transformation of mobility and renewable energy storage, and we are doing so by changing how the world makes cathode materials.

“Our LNMO is unique, differentiated and well-positioned to address the automotive industry’s recent interest in manganese-rich batteries and our coated nanocrystal NMC is targeting demand for increased durability in long-range battery applications. 

“Manganese plays a critical role in both chemistries and we are aligned with Euro Manganese in developing low-cost high-performance cathode materials with a differentiated and environmentally sustainable supply chain.”