Following discussions since April 2023, South Korea’s Posco Future M and Honda have reached a basic agreement on collaboration for the production of cathode materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Canada. They will now begin detailed discussions with the goal of signing a joint venture agreement before the end of 2024.

BASF and Swedish firm have entered into a black mass purchase agreement. This is described as part of a broader collaboration, with the goal of setting up a battery recycling value chain for the European electric vehicle (EV) battery market.

Albemarle has announced plans to locate its previously announced lithium hydroxide ‘Mega-Flex’ facility in Chester County, South Carolina. The initial investment will be at least $1.3 billion, due to surging demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium-ion batteries worldwide.

Pending permitting approvals, the facility will be located within an area of about 320 hectares. It is projected to create more than 300 new, permanent jobs and sustain more than 1,500 construction jobs.

Livent has signed a sourcing agreement, under which it will supply General Motors (GM) with battery-grade lithium hydroxide for six years from 2025. GM intends to use this in its battery cathodes, which will power electric vehicles such as the recently revealed Chevrolet Blazer EV (pictured), Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq.

Umicore has agreed to develop high-performance catholyte materials for solid-state batteries with Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan, combining its expertise in cathode active materials (CAMs) for lithium-ion batteries with that of Idemitsu Kosan in high-purity lithium sulfide. Catholytes combine CAMs and solid electrolytes, enabling solid-state batteries to achieve better performance.

Subject to final agreements and customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, Umicore and Volkswagen will establish a joint venture in precursor and cathode material production in Europe. This will begin in 2025 with initial production of 20 GWh/year for the plant in Salzgitter, Germany, and should grow to 160 GWh/year by 2030, enough to power about 2.2 million full electric vehicles.

BASF has agreed to partner with China’s SVOLT on the supply of cathode active materials (CAMs), R&D into sustainable battery materials and the ultimate recycling of battery cells. They will also assess joint upstream resourcing to strengthen the security of raw material supply. Financial terms were not disclosed.