Canadian lithium battery cathode materials producer Nano One has signed a joint development agreement with Chinese cathode company Pulead Technology Industry.
Nano One said the partners planned to scale up production of Pulead’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials, using Nano One’s technology, for use in lithium-ion batteries.
The companies will also consider “licensing and commercialisation opportunities”.
CEO of Nano One Dan Blondal said: “By working together, we aim to improve the cost and performance of LFP materials and to expand its use in industrial batteries, e-buses and electric vehicles.”
The agreement formalises a relationship that began last year, which has included joint battery testing and economic evaluation of products and materials.
Nano One said its scientific team has developed an innovative process “that simplifies the production of high performance carbon coated LFP”. The company claims its technology improves operating and capital expenses “by using lower cost raw material inputs with fewer process steps and by avoiding costly waste streams. The patent pending technology uses an aqueous process operating at room temperature, ambient pressure and mild pH.
Pulead is one of China’s leading lithium-ion battery cathode producers. Last year, the company agreed to jointly develop automotive battery tech with Chinese lithium battery pack supplier Pride Power.