"Oh, how fine are the Emperor's new clothes! Don't they fit him to perfection? And see his long train!"

As large-scale commercialization of LMFP battery technology accelerates, competition among potential suppliers is intensifying.

However, similar to many competitive scenarios, ethical considerations often take a back seat when the drive to win at all costs consumes project directors, CEOs, and other stakeholders with vested interests.

Misinformation, "white lies," misdirection, and other deceptive practices become intertwined with marketing hype as competing projects vie for investment and off-take agreements.

This struggle for success reveals the diverse strategies employed by peers within the same sector.The dynamics of this competition bear striking similarities to presidential elections.

Geopolitical tactics are frequently deployed, emotions run high, and nationalistic rhetoric is often used in ways that seem illogical.

"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." Abraham Lincoln

Section 1

How much is that Chocolate bar in the window?

the question about true Opex when the feasibility study try to mislead by using "OPEX per feedstock"

Imagine You're Making Chocolate Bars

Let’s say you want to make a special chocolate bar, but first, you need to start with cookie dough.

• In every 100 grams of dough, there are 7 chocolate chips

(this represents 7% manganese in the feedstock).

But here’s the tricky part: not all of the chocolate chips will make it into your final chocolate bar.

What Happens During the Process?

When you start making your chocolate bar:

• Some of the cookies crumble.
• Some chocolate chips get stuck to the pan or lost during baking.

By the end,

• only 60% of the original chocolate chips make it into your final chocolate bar.

So, out of every 7 chocolate chips, only about 4 (with a few crumbs) actually make it into your special chocolate bar.

This is because only 60% of the chocolate chips (or manganese) survives through all the processing steps.

The Final Chocolate Bar

Now, your special chocolate bar isn’t made entirely of chocolate chips.

In fact,

• only 32.5% of it is actual chocolate

(just like HPMSM contains ~ 32.5% manganese).

• The rest of the bar is made up of other ingredients like sugar and milk

(in HPMSM’s case, other chemicals).

But here’s something important:

Before you make this special chocolate bar, you first purify all those chocolate chips into 100% pure chocolate !

(this is like making 100% pure manganese metal first, called HPEMM).

• This step is really complicated, expensive, and of late obsolete and not needed,

because it takes a lot of energy and special equipment to purify everything.

• After that, you mix in other ingredients to finally make your special bar (HPMSM).

Why Is It So Expensive?

Making these bars costs a lot for two big reasons:

1. High Energy Costs: You use a lot of energy in big ovens (or electrowinning baths) to purify the manganese into 100% pure metal before making HPMSM.
2. Labor Costs: You have to pay all the workers who help bake and manage everything

(there are many workers, but also a large team of directors who needs to get paid too !

How Much Cookie Dough Do You Need?

Because you lose some chocolate chips along the way and your final product isn’t all chocolate,

you need a lot more cookie dough to make one full chocolate bar.

In fact, you need about 7.66 batches of cookie dough to get enough chocolate chips for just one bar!

How Much Does It Cost?

• Let’s say it costs $215 to bake one batch of cookie dough

(this is like the cost per tonne of feedstock).

• Since you need 7.66 batches to make one full chocolate bar, you multiply:

215×7.66=1,647215×7.66=1,647

So, it costs about $1,647 to make one full chocolate bar (or one tonne of HPMSM).

In Summary:

• You start with feedstock that has 7% manganese.
• Only 60% of that manganese makes it through all the steps.
• To make one tonne of HPMSM (which has 32.5% manganese), you need about 7.66 tonnes of feedstock.
• The total cost for making one tonne of HPMSM is about $1,647, mostly because energy and labor are expensive.

I hope this clears up any confusion for some investors, who may not have the technical understanding, to identify when deceitful practices are used, to secure BILLIONS in total funding.

Section 2

Battery grade Manganese market prices in China.

Mn-Sulphate: ( > 32% Mn contents): ~ $ 769

Mn3O4 : ( > 70% Mn contents): ~ $ 1,563

(All prices in USD, EXW China & excl. VAT at 13%, and effective as on 1 October?2024, Source: SMM)

These two manganese products will dominate NMC-, LMFP-, and sodium battery markets, as EMD (electrolytic manganese dioxide) has fallen out of favour, due to the expensive electrowinning processing methods used.

Section 3.

Battery Chemistry R & D

Chapter 12

Industrial and Commercial Applications

?

Introduction

In the previous chapter, we explored the exciting applications of LMFP batteries in consumer electronics. We discovered how these advanced batteries are powering our smartphones, laptops, and other portable devices, offering longer battery life, enhanced safety, and fast charging capabilities.

Building upon that foundation, this chapter will delve into the industrial and commercial applications of LMFP batteries. We will examine how these batteries are revolutionizing various sectors, from telecommunications and data centers to manufacturing and logistics, providing reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions.

Telecommunications and Data Centers

One of the key industrial applications of LMFP batteries is in the telecommunications and data center sectors. These industries rely heavily on uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems to ensure the continuous operation of critical infrastructure, even during power outages or grid instability.

?LMFP batteries offer several advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries commonly used in UPS systems. Their high energy density allows for more compact and lightweight battery installations, saving valuable space in data centers and telecom facilities.

Additionally, the longer cycle life and reduced maintenance requirements of LMFP batteries translate to lower total cost of ownership for operators.

Researchers at Tsinghua University have conducted studies on the application of LMFP batteries in telecom backup power systems. Their findings, published in the Journal of Energy Storage, demonstrate the superior performance and reliability of LMFP batteries compared to lead-acid batteries .

The study highlights the ability of LMFP batteries to provide longer backup times, faster recharge rates, and improved temperature tolerance, ensuring the seamless operation of critical telecom infrastructure.

Manufacturing and Industrial Automation

LMFP batteries are also making significant inroads in the manufacturing and industrial automation sectors. These industries rely on a wide range of equipment, from industrial robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to material handling systems and machine tools. Reliable and efficient energy storage is crucial for powering these systems and ensuring smooth operations.

The high energy density and long cycle life of LMFP batteries make them an attractive choice for industrial automation applications. They can provide extended runtime for AGVs and mobile robots, reducing the frequency of battery replacements and minimizing downtime.

Moreover, the enhanced safety features of LMFP batteries, such as thermal stability and reduced risk of thermal runaway, are particularly important in industrial settings where safety is paramount.

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have investigated the application of LMFP batteries in industrial automation systems. Their study, published in the Journal of Power Sources, demonstrates the advantages of LMFP batteries over traditional lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries in terms of cycle life, energy density, and safety .

The study highlights the potential for LMFP batteries to enable more compact and lightweight designs for industrial equipment, improving operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Logistics and Material Handling

The logistics and material handling sectors are another key area where LMFP batteries are making a significant impact. These industries rely on a wide range of equipment, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and conveyor systems, to move goods efficiently and keep supply chains running smoothly.?

LMFP batteries offer several advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries commonly used in material handling equipment. Their high energy density allows for longer runtime and reduced downtime for battery replacements. Additionally, the fast charging capabilities of LMFP batteries enable quick turnaround times, maximizing equipment utilization and productivity.

?A case study conducted by a leading Chinese logistics company, published in the Journal of Energy Storage, demonstrates the successful implementation of LMFP batteries in their material handling equipment fleet .

The study highlights the improved operational efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced sustainability achieved by switching from lead-acid to LMFP batteries. The longer cycle life and reduced need for battery replacements contribute to lower environmental impact and improved overall sustainability of logistics operations.

Conclusion

In this chapter, we explored the industrial and commercial applications of LMFP batteries. We discovered how these advanced batteries are revolutionizing sectors such as telecommunications, data centers, manufacturing, and logistics, providing reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy storage solutions. The high energy density, long cycle life, and enhanced safety features of LMFP batteries make them an attractive choice for powering critical infrastructure and equipment in these industries.

Looking ahead, the adoption of LMFP batteries in industrial and commercial applications is expected to accelerate, driven by the increasing demand for clean and efficient energy storage solutions.

In the next chapter,

we will delve into the environmental impact and sustainability aspects of LMFP batteries.

We will explore the life-cycle assessment of these batteries, the initiatives aimed at reducing their environmental footprint, and their potential to contribute to a circular economy. Get ready to discover how LMFP batteries are not only powering industries but also paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future!

?Glossary

- Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): A system that provides backup power to critical equipment in case of power outages or instability.

- Cycle life: The number of charge-discharge cycles a battery can undergo before its capacity falls below a certain threshold.

- Thermal runaway: A situation where a battery's temperature increases rapidly and uncontrollably, potentially leading to fire or explosion.

- Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV): A mobile robot that follows markers or wires on the floor, or uses vision or lasers to navigate autonomously in industrial settings.

- Energy density: The amount of energy stored in a battery per unit volume or weight.

Section 4.

China stories

I will let the video tell the story of how Firebird Metals Limited is increasing it's undisputable lead versus it's peers. Connect with Peter Allen for any specific questions regarding investing, off-takes or potential future JV's outside China, where their class leading technology will be a game-changer, especially for #LMFP technology.

Cheers for now,

Magnus.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/magnus-bekker/