Blackstone ensures the processing of cathode material and recycling

Lithium iron phosphate is one of the most important starting materials to produce cobalt- and nickel-free Li-ion batteries. IBU-tec advanced materials AG, based in Weimar/Germany, has the chemical know-how and the production equipment to manufacture lithium iron phosphate cathode materials (LFP). IBU-tec will obtain the raw materials and chemicals from Blackstone Resources and other suppliers to initially supply Blackstone Technology with a three-digit ton annual volume of processed LFP material for the 3D printing process. This equates to an annual production capacity of approximately 2 GWh. Blackstone Technology has thus secured the battery metals and their processing that it will need in the next stages of expansion.

It also intends to take up development topics in the field of recycling of LFP battery cells. The sustainability of battery-cell manufacturing is a central subject for Blackstone. Already now, 70% less energy is needed in the production of electrodes compared to our competitors. The battery cell-production uses a water-soluble process and can therefore do without toxic solvents NMP as well as plastics PVDF used in almost every battery-cell production today.