Evolution Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:EV1) has been accepted as a member of the European Battery Alliance (EBA), a platform for key stakeholders across the European battery anode material value chain.
The EBA was launched in October 2017 by the European Commission to bring together key groups in the battery material, technology and financing sectors covering the battery value chain.
This is a major milestone for EV1 as it strengthens its battery anode material strategy in Europe, where it recently began a commercial verification program to evaluate the production of sustainable coated battery anode materials.
Evolution’s strategy is to pursue a net-zero carbon graphite mine in Tanzania.
The company’s entry into the EBA ensures EV1 could be a valued supplier of sustainable pre-cursor feedstock to the European battery supply chain at a time when vehicle manufacturers are required to have the highest standards of sustainability and traceability from their supply chains.
Acceptance into the European Battery Alliance provides an opportunity for Evolution to engage with key European stakeholders in the battery anode material market.
Multi-faceted downstream strategy
Speaking of Evolution’s acceptance into the EBA, managing director Phil Hoskins said: “We are committed to a strategy of producing downstream products using graphite from our Chilalo Project, as we move towards a final investment decision by H2 2022.
“Our downstream strategy is multi-faceted and includes battery anode material, micronised graphite and expandable graphite. Acceptance into the EBA is an important step as we progress our battery anode material strategy as it will support the development of relationships with key players, including financiers and customers.
“We are also acutely aware of the increasing expectations from customers regarding the sustainability of supply of materials. BMW, Mercedes, VW and Daimler (ETR:DAI) Chrysler have all made public sustainability-based commitments in support of the EU’s broader sustainability objectives.
"Acceptance into the EBA fits well with our commitment to ESG performance and the sustainable supply of graphite products.”
About the EBA
There are currently more than 600 members of the EBA, including the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, European member states and many and varied participants across the battery materials value chain.
Volkswagen, Tesla, Volvo and LG Chem all participate.
The EBA is dedicated to supporting efforts to move away from fossil fuels to electric powered transport and energy and understands that battery anode materials have a critical role to play in supporting the move to clean energy in Europe.