Battery materials firm Vianode, a subsidiary of Elkam, will supply anode materials for Morrow Batteries’ lithium-ion gigafactory.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the firms covers the development and qualification of the large-scale supply of anode materials.
Morrow plans to build a 42GWh lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Eyde Energy Park in Arendal municipality, Norway.
Vianode intends to supply the anode materials from its planned large-scale battery graphite plant at Herøya Industrial Park, Norway.
As part of the agreement, the companies will jointly develop tailored anode materials suited for Morrow lithium-ion cells, including both synthetic graphite and silicon-containing anode materials.
Vianode has received NOK 10 million ($1.1 million) in financial support from Norwegian government enterprise Enova to fund the initial planning of its materials plant.
Vianode is aiming for a final investment decision this year to allow construction to begin before the end of 2021.
Moving forward
On 4 June, Morrow and Siemens announced they would collaborate on sustainable digitalisation and automation of the gigafactory’s battery cell production value chain and the commercialisation of “low-cost products”.
Three days earlier, Morrow signed a letter of intent for support on automation, electrification, and digitisation of its planned facilities with ABB.
In addition, the companies intend to collaborate on a common go-to-market approach, with highly developed battery solutions as well as energy storage systems.
Last month, Morrow formalised the decision to build the 42GWH plant in Eyde Energy Park in Arendal municipality in the south of the country, when it gained approval by Arendal City Council.
Morrow is due to start building the facility, with production of battery cells for electric vehicles starting in late 2024.
All four modules will be completed in 2026.
Last month, Morrow appointed Juergen Lind as executive vice president (EVP) of Industrialization and Business Development.
The former head of battery development at Audi will lead the build-up of Morrow’s Industrialization Center (MIC), and drive “customer-centric battery cell development”.
Juergen will take up his post in August.
