Battery materials firm Echion Technologies and gigafactory developer Morrow Batteries have signed a supply deal to help the latter to commercialise its cobalt-free lithium-ion batteries.
UK firm Echion’s XNO™ anode material will support the delivery of Morrow’s LNMO-X cell, which aims to bring cobalt-free, fast-charging cells to the global lithium-ion battery market.
The LNMO-X cells use a lithium manganese nickel oxide chemistry with the ‘X’ in the name referring to Echion’s product.
Under the agreement, Echion will supply up to 150 tons of its XNO™ anode materials to Morrow, with options for the Norwegian firm to secure further capacity over the next five years.
Morrow believes its LNMO-X cells will be a key technology in the electrification of heavy-duty applications, including trains, ferries and AGVs.
In February, Morrow announced its water-based electrodes had demonstrated more than 4,000 cycles to 80% capacity retention for the LNMO-X full cells.
Morrow plans to manufacture 125Ah prismatic LNMO-X cells boasting a capacity of 400Wh/L and capable of operating at -30°C in its cell factory in Arendal, south Norway.
Morrow’s Arendal facility is under construction with the first phase 1GWh stage due to be completed in 2023 and ultimately expected to reach 43GWh capacity five years later.
A Morrow spokesman told BEST: “The applications for this technology where interest has been confirmed are electric ferries, trains, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) where the LNMO-X batteries offer greater financial benefits in terms of total cost of ownership.”