On September 27, 2022, Nano One® Materials Corp. and Euro Manganese Inc. announced a successful validation of cathode materials derived directly from electrolytic manganese metal produced by Euro Manganese. This achievement is part of their ongoing Joint Development Agreement aimed at creating economically viable and environmentally sustainable cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
Euro Manganese has produced high-purity electrolytic manganese metal (HPEMM) at its pilot plant, utilizing resources from the Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic. Nano One’s patented One-Pot process enables the production of cathode materials from metals and lithium carbonate, significantly reducing complexity and environmental impact.

The results are crucial for meeting the rising demand for sustainably sourced critical minerals in the automotive battery markets of Europe and North America. By utilizing HPEMM in Nano One’s innovative M2CAM process, both companies aim to streamline the production of cathode active materials, avoiding the costs and environmental challenges associated with metal sulphate production.

Dan Blondal, CEO of Nano One, expressed excitement about this milestone, highlighting how the collaboration eliminates capital-intensive chemical conversion processes while minimizing waste. He noted the alignment of this approach with legislative efforts in North America and Europe to strengthen battery supply chains using secure sources of critical minerals.

Dr. Matthew James, CEO of Euro Manganese, remarked on the increasing demand for high-purity manganese products and the flexibility of their production process to adapt to market needs. Euro Manganese aims to be a leader in producing environmentally responsible battery-grade manganese, with plans to commission a larger demonstration plant at the Chvaletice site in Q4 2022.

The collaboration not only represents a step forward in battery material innovation but also supports the transition to a cleaner energy future by integrating high-quality manganese into global battery supply chains.