Austvolt is poised to be a key manufacturer of cathode precursor material in the global integrated lithium battery supply chain through the development of the first commercial scale precursor manufacturing plant in Australia.
Right now, Australia realises approximately 0.5% of the total current value of the global Lithium supply battery chain. To capture and grow this opportunity, and to add value to Australia’s contribution to the global supply chain, we are building Australia’s first commercial cathode precursor material manufacturing plant which will significantly enhance the value of the product being exported by Australia.
The cathode precursor is a high-value and specifically engineered material that contains nickel, cobalt, and manganese. When combined with Lithium it becomes the cathode material for Lithium batteries.
By developing a commercial scale cathode precursor material manufacturing plant in Western Australia, we will be able to guarantee ethical sourcing and traceability, while helping drive Australia’s advanced manufacturing ambitions.
Austvolt is based and operating in Western Australia. Western Australia is one of the few locations in the world that produces more than 90% of critical raw materials required for manufacturing Lithium battery cells – Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt and Graphite. Manganese, the other key ingredient, is produced in Tasmania, Australia. This geographical advantage means we have the ability to connect mine to market like no other operation has before. As a result, we will be able to optimise our cost competitiveness, guarantee the ethical sourcing and traceability of input material, and help drive the local economy.
| Mineral | Lithium | Nickel | Cobalt | Manganese | Graphite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Australian Resources (EDR 2020) |
6.2MT |
21.2MT |
1.5MT |
91MT |
8.0MT |
|
World Ranking of Resources |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
|
Share of World Production |
49% |
7.0% |
4.0% |
12% |
0.0% |
References:
The lithium battery supply chain is growing at a rapid rate to meet the huge demands of the global electrification of our energy supply. Austvolt intends to capitalise on the opportunity to be a key player in the global growth of the lithium battery supply chain. We will be able to do this through our close proximity to the critical raw materials require to manufacture lithium battery cells, access to technology and a skilled workforce. By reducing the cost the raw material shipping cost, developing a highly automated plant and working closely with other industry leaders, we believe we will be able to drive strong commercial outcomes.
Our team is passionate about working together to realise a clean energy future. We are bold in our approach and ambitious in our vision. Through alliances with technical experts in Australia and around the globe – from mineral processing through to cell manufacture, we have built a business that is positioned to make the most of the energy transition opportunity in front of us.
The requirement for clean energy is the biggest challenge and opportunity facing the world. Austvolt’s cathode precursor manufacturing plant will position Australia as a significant contributor in the battery energy space. By doing so, we will not only tangibly grow jobs and the economy, we will also help evolve a new generation of manufacturing capability.
We care to acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their unique cultural heritage, beliefs and relationships to land, waters, skies and sea. We pay our respect to ancestors and Elders, past and present.