Novonix and ICoNiChem enter into collaboration agreement focused on sustainable cathode material feedstock

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Novonix and ICoNiChem have been selected for funding under the 2024 Canada-UK critical minerals call for proposals, which is focused on advancing projects related to critical minerals essential for industries like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and electronics.

To support their participation in the project, Novonix Battery Technology Solutions Inc., a Canadian division of Novonix , is receiving advisory services and up to $138,910 (USD 93,306) in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), while ICoNiChem is receiving support through Innovate UK.

The two-year project, with a total budget of $559,983 between Novonix and ICoNiChem, aims to further improve the sustainability of the Novonix all-dry, zero-waste technology by incorporating recycled metal feedstock, such as cobalt and nickel carbonates and oxides, into the process.

Dr. Chris Burns, CEO of Novonix said: “Novonix will utilize its patented all-dry, zero-waste synthesis process to synthesize, test, and analyze cathode active materials that will incorporate ICoNiChem’s recycled cobalt and nickel. Our involvement reflects our continued commitment to advancing sustainable solutions, reducing cathode processing cost, and strengthening the critical mineral supply chain across North America, the UK, and beyond.”

Berk Sengul, Managing Director of ICoNiChem said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a world class company like Novonix to develop a UK supply chain for nickel-based cathode active materials. The project will strengthen ICoNiChem’s position as a global player in cobalt and nickel materials.”

 ICoNiChem will provide various recycled materials, including cobalt and nickel carbonates or oxides, throughout the project to compare and demonstrate optimal performance in cathode powders.

The project will utilize Novonix ’s cathode pilot line, as well as other services from Novonix Battery Technology Solutions, to support the characterization of project materials including their physical and electrochemical performance. Materials will be built into full scale pouch cells to benchmark performance relative to other leading cathode materials.

Upon successful completion of milestones, Novonix may enter into commercial agreements for ICoNiChem products with the goal of integrating recycled feed into its CAM production processes moving forward.

Novonix All-Dry, Zero-Waste, Cathode Pilot Line

In July 2023, NOVONIX commissioned its all-dry, zero-waste cathode pilot line and announced its production of material that matched the performance of leading cathode materials from existing suppliers in full-cell testing.

Since then, the Company has shared the results of an independent engineering study by Hatch Ltd. that shows the potentially significant cost savings and waste reduction of NOVONIX’s cathode synthesis process compared to the conventional wet process.

Novonix was recently granted a patent for its all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis technology in Japan, a key market for the production and use of CAM. The Company has continued to produce various grades of mid- and high-nickel cathode material to specifications of potential commercialisation partners and began sampling these pilot scale materials.