battery technology
Li-ion battery industry
M
iStock.com/sefa ozel
The drive for a more circular
agnis Energy Technologies
batteries to enhance energy density, while
battery raw material production takes place
(MET), an Australian verti-
next-gen technologies offering fast charging
in China, with the refinement dependent
cally integrated lithium-ion
capability are also sought.
on energy- and toxic chemical-intensive
battery technology company,
“The commercial viability of alternative
processes predominantly powered by fossil
identifies downstream indus-
high-energy-density technologies such as
fuels,” Nerkar said. “Using renewable energy
try competition driving innovation in the
high-voltage cathodes, lithium-sulfur, solid-
sources over conventional power sources
lithium-ion battery sector. This innovation
state electrolytes and lithium metal anode is
across the whole Li-ion battery supply chain
can also act as a catalyst for Australian
being explored,” Nerkar said. “At the same
can help mitigate these inefficiencies.”
domestic incentives and help address in-
time, solvent-free dry electrode manufac-
dustry inefficiencies.
turing and cell-to-pack battery assembly
Domestic incentives
Through its Tanzanian graphite mining
are being pursued as processing and cell
Government policy plays a crucial role in
project, US-based graphite anode active
engineering battery technologies respectively.
the development of the lithium-ion battery
material (AAM) plant and lithium-ion battery
sector. International policies including the
of the graphite industry, which is being
Graphite demand to improve inefficiencies
propelled by the demand for Li-ion batteries
The demand for EVs and lithium-ion batter-
Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy and
for electric vehicles (EVs).
ies is increasing graphite demand, which is
India’s FAME II Strategy are bolstering the
Dr Jawahar Nerkar, MET Director of
poised to surpass the capacities of existing
international market. For companies under
Battery Technologies, notes competition is
graphite mines — with supply forecast to be
the US Inflation Reduction Act, financial
driving the sector.
in deficit by 2025, according to Macquarie’s
incentives are dependent on non-Chinese
Graphite Market Outlook.1
graphite being used in projects, driving
operation iM3NY, MET is at the forefront
“The electrification of the transportation
US Inflation Reduction Act, the US Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EU Green Deal,
sector alone is expected to account for 80%
“Irrespective of a battery’s cathode chem-
of the global battery demand by 2030,” Nerkar
istry over the coming decade, graphite will
said. “EV manufacturers are competing to
remain the predominant AAM in Li-ion
“Like the US Inflation Reduction Act and
provide consumers with optimum-range vehi-
batteries; therefore, securing the supply of
the European Commission’s incentives, Aus-
cles powered by high-capacity, high-energy-
these critical components to meet demand
tralian federal agencies should investigate
density, safe, sustainable and cost-effective
and mitigate production delays is crucial,”
Li-ion batteries. To do this, EV manufacturers
said Nerkar, who believes enabling a circular
equivalent incentives for domestic battery
are forming strategic partnerships with innova-
lithium-ion battery economy will reduce the
tive Li-ion battery manufacturers, who in turn
burden on securing raw materials and improve
are employing advanced battery chemistries,
inefficiencies. “Scrap and waste formation, a
battery pack designs and processing technolo-
major Li-ion battery process inefficiency, will
gies in their batteries.”
benefit from the adoption of more sustainable
Nerkar observes that competition-driven innovation is pushing battery manufacturers
solutions, such as recycling and repurposing battery components.”
to use next-gen materials such as nickel-
Energy use and environmental impacts
rich cathode materials and higher loading
are significant issues in upstream lithium-
of silicon in graphite composite anode in
ion battery production. “The majority of
50 Sustainability Matters - Oct 2023
continued global opportunities for graphite mining and Li-ion battery development.
cell manufacturing,” said MET Chair Frank Poullas. “Supporting businesses across all sectors of the lithium battery value chain will attract investors with certainty around the viability of the commercial-scale manufacturing. Supportive international trade agreements that will benefit Australian manufacturers’ access to North American, European and Asian markets also warrant discussion.” 1.
Macquarie Graphite Market Research, 24 March 2023.
www.SustainabilityMatters.net.au