Australian resource company Syrah Resources has bought the exclusive rights to a coating technology for lithium-ion batteries from a leading Chinese supplier.
The licensing agreement allows Syrah to use the technology around the world in any of its projects, although not in China.
China-based supplier Morgan Hairong produces the spherical graphite anode coating for Chinese battery producers.
The company was formed in 2011 when carbon and ceramic components group Morgan Crucible bought the Chinese firm Changsha Hairong New Materials for £6.15 million.
Hairong was already recognised as one of the leading suppliers of high-performance anodes in China.
Morgan Crucible had been developing advanced anode material technology and made the purchase in recognition of the growing demand in China for energy storage and electric vehicles.
One of its projects is its Balama Graphite and Vanadium project in Mozambique, which is claimed to hold the largest graphite ore reserves in the world.
