BatteryTech News & Updates – 2024 #5

?? Tesla Will Use China’s CATL Equipment To Open A US Battery Plant

Tesla is expanding its battery production in Nevada by opening a new facility using surplus equipment from CATL, a major move to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and secure the supply chain for lithium-iron-phosphate cells domestically in the U.S.

The specialized machinery required for this expansion will be located in the Sparks area, Nevada, with Tesla holding full ownership and financial responsibility for the project. CATL personnel will assist with the initial setup of equipment before Tesla takes over full operational control, indicating a strategic partnership focused on technological transfer rather than direct investment.

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?? Volvo completes acquisition of battery business from Proterra

The Volvo Group has successfully finalized the acquisition of Proterra's esteemed battery operations, marking a significant stride toward advancing sustainable transportation solutions. Proterra, Inc. is a company known for its electric buses and industry-leading battery solutions. The transaction, valued at USD 210 million and subject to adjustments pertaining to inventory levels, not only signifies the Volvo Group's commitment to electrification but also integrates Proterra's specialized team and its expertise. This strategic move is set to accelerate the Volvo Group's electric vehicle development roadmap.

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?? EAM completes acquisition of LFP Cathode Technology Center in Germany

EAM completed the acquisition of an LFP cathode active material technology center in Moosburg, Germany, marking a strategic step towards becoming a global provider of both cathode and anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. This acquisition makes EAM poised to establish India as the first country in Asia, apart from China, to manufacture LFP cathode materials. EAM plans to start construction of the facility in India in 2024, aiming to have a large-scale customer qualification plant operational by 2025 and scaling up to 100,000 tons by 2030.

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?? UK Infrastructure Bank boosts the second British battery factory by AESC

The UK Infrastructure Bank has provided a ￡200 million loan to AESC to support the development of a gigafactory in Sunderland, North East England. The move is expected to strengthen the UK's electric vehicle supply chain and stimulate regional economic growth. AESC's Sunderland Gigafactory will have a production capacity of 15.8 GWh. It is expected to create and support more than 1,000 jobs once operational. The facility will focus on the production of lithium-ion batteries for the next generation of UK-built electric vehicles.

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??Nissan Strategizes to Cut EV Costs with New LFP Battery Production

Nissan is adjusting its battery production strategy to focus on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are 20–30% less expensive than existing nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries, in an effort to lower EV costs and increase market share. The company intends to launch these more economical LFP batteries by 2026, focusing on emerging areas where cost-effective EV solutions are crucial.

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?? Umicore enters AI platform agreement with Microsoft to accelerate and scale its battery materials technologies development

Umicore has signed a deal with Microsoft to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its research and development in battery material technologies, specifically for electric vehicles, representing a significant step toward speeding innovation in a key growth domain for Umicore. The partnership makes use of Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service as well as many unpublished, unique scientific AI models, all within an Umicore proprietary environment that ensures complete intellectual property (IP) security. The use of AI and machine learning technology complements Umicore's long-standing practices in materials, processes, and data modeling, resulting in the company's first AI-enabled patents in battery materials.

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??LionVolt acquires AMTE Power battery cell production line in Scotland

LionVolt, a Dutch company that received the 2022 Gerard and Anton Award, has officially bought a battery cell production plant in Thurso, Scotland, that was previously held by AMTE Power. LionVolt's strategic move utilizes Eindhoven's profound expertise in thin-film technology, with the goal of developing a breakthrough 3D electrode architecture for next-generation batteries. LionVolt's solid-state batteries provide significant innovations such as better energy density, longer cycle life, faster charging speeds, and improved safety features.

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?? Lead Intelligent Equipment and Tiamat Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive Sodium-Ion Battery Innovation in Europe

Lead Intelligent Equipment, a Chinese technology business, has formed a strategic agreement with Tiamat, a French developer of sodium-ion batteries. The collaboration aims to improve the research and production pace of sodium-ion batteries in Europe. Tiamat, a spin-off from the French CNRS research agency, plans to develop a sodium-ion battery production factory near Amiens, northern France. The facility plans to produce 5 gigawatt-hours by 2030, with construction of the first unit (0.7 gigawatt-hour annual capacity) beginning in Q1 2024. This massive project, at a cost of more than 500 million euros, will create more than 1,200 jobs and be a major boost to the region's economy.

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?? Gotion High-tech and Chery Automobile form strategic cooperation in new energy vehicle field

Chery Automobile and Gotion High-tech formed a strategic partnership to progress the new energy vehicle industry. Cooperation on passenger cars, buses, heavy-duty trucks, and logistics vehicles is part of the agreement. The collaboration intends to present cutting-edge battery technologies, with a particular emphasis on battery platform standardization, cell stability and safety, and battery big data applications. This includes Gotion High-tech's third-generation battery cells.

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?? Volkswagen is putting stock market plans for PowerCo on hold

Volkswagen AG has postponed efforts to secure outside investment for its PowerCo battery unit amid slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and industry-wide challenges in the EV transition. VW has also halted discussions with potential investors about a stake sale or initial public offering of PowerCo, without prioritizing those efforts for this year or next. The company remains open to moving forward with the plans if market conditions improve, noting that 2023 was the worst year for IPOs in over a decade due to rising interest rates.

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