Lanxess and its German compatriot IBU-Tec Advanced Materials have entered into a research cooperation to develop advanced iron oxides for use in cathode material for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. They aim to optimise the electrochemical properties of LFP batteries, such as energy density, charging speed and the number of charging cycles.

ICL has held the groundbreaking ceremony for a $400 million, 13,000 m², 30,000 tones/year battery materials manufacturing facility at its Carondolet site at St Louis, Missouri. Present at the event on 8 August were Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, whose department granted $197 million towards building the facility under the Investing in America agenda, and Missouri governor Mike Parson.