ASX-listed Lithium Australia’s wholly owned subsidiary, VSPC is now producing commercial quality lithium titanium oxide, or “LTO” battery anode powder. VSPC says its LTO exceeds industry performance benchmarks and that further research and development, including work on niobium-based anode powders, is underway. Lithium Australia is building an armoury of lithium battery technology in readiness for the lithium boom and its latest work on lithium battery anodes adds to its recent successful journey to produce “lithium ferro phosphate” and “lithium manganese ferro phosphate” battery cathode powders.
VSPC says it has been able to produce an LTO anode powder that surpasses current industry standards through a patented, slurry-based process that cuts calcination time and provides a higher quality end-product.
VSPC’s LTO product was assessed against five of its competitors where it achieved a specific capacity of about 169 milliampere hours per gram. VSPC’s closest competitor reached a capacity of around 164 milliampere hours per gram.
Lithium Australia Managing, Director Adrian Griffin said “To achieve the performance desired for next-generation LIBs, improved anodes are also required. VSPC’s patented technologies are applicable to the production of both anode and cathode materials. Currently, VSPC produces the world’s highest performing LFP cathode powder and is among only a handful of companies capable of producing high-energy-density LMFP. Market demand for advanced nickel- and cobalt-free batteries puts VSPC in a unique position to deliver precursors that meet more exacting performance requirements. VSPC’s successful production of high-performance LTO is an Australian first, as well as a global necessity.”
VSPC has been streamlining the production of lithium metal phosphate cathode powder for over two years now and says its process trialling has led to a wider assortment of feedstock materials
The subsidiary has suggested that by utilising lithium phosphate as a cathode powder precursor, its patented process could eliminate several steps from mining of ore to the manufacturing of battery cathode materials and therefore new lithium-ion batteries.
The company says its recent success with LTO production has encouraged it to increase its research and development efforts into alternate anode battery materials including titanium niobium oxide and alternative niobium-based anode components commonly used across defence and space-based applications.
Lithium Australia was out there cutting its teeth on lithium related technologies whilst the rest of the world was still only looking on in awe at the start of the battery revolution.
It is now way out ahead of the pack and its many years of lithium battery technology advancement may now start to look attractive to the really big players who are all looking for a manufacturing edge as lithium batteries and electric vehicles become main stream.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au
By Matt Birney
