Nickel Rich Cathode Is Important For Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Nickel rich cathodes cost less, have higher energy density and have fewer supply challenges than lithium ion batteries that rely on lithium cobaltate. In fact, much of the ongoing research and development on lithium ion batteries is focused on minimizing the amount of cobalt required in the final formulation of the cathode materials.

Fortunately, Springpower can manufacture all of the key NCA (Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum) and NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) formulations in use and in development, ensuring that Springpower Cathodes can continue to supply the lithium ion battery industry into the future.

The common process for making nickel rich cathode material consists of a precursor production step followed by sintering it with lithium compounds. This requires 15 cubic metres of water and generates 15 cubic metres of effluent for each metric ton of cathode material produced. Removing contaminates such as ammonia, extra fine metal containing particles and sodium sulfate from the effluent requires a large water treatment plant before the excess water can be discharged. This adds significantly to the cost and still cannot prevent some of the contaminants from entering the environment.

Springpower's closed-loop process uses almost no water, and therefore generates ZERO EFFLUENT, avoiding the need and cost of a water treatment plant, and enabling Springpower to manufacture cathode materials in any light industrial facility in North America.