Volt Resources Ltd (ASX:VRC) has entered a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with alkaline battery producer Urban Electric Power (UEP) aimed at improving the performance of alkaline batteries using non-spherical purified graphite for conductivity enhancement and ultra-high-purity graphite-based coatings.
The JDA has been signed by UEP, Volt and the company’s technology partner in the US, American Energy Technologies Co (AETC).
As well as the collaboration project testing non-spherical graphite, the agreement involves preparing for an offtake agreement between UEP and Volt.
It will leverage Volt’s graphite production capability in Europe and Africa and AETC’s inverted LIB anode materials flowsheet design to produce non-spherical graphite products including conductive graphite for the battery market.
“Clear pathway”
Volt managing director Trevor Matthews said: “Following a visit to Urban Electric Power’s facilities and meeting earlier this year, the signing of the Joint Development Agreement provides a clear pathway for the development of commercially based technologies to improve alkaline battery performance and lower costs.
“The collaboration with UEP in alkaline battery technology combined with the previously announced programs in lead-acid battery technology with Apollo and two lithium-ion battery anode material developments, including the Energy Supply Developer’s Super Site, positions Volt to become a battery materials manufacturer for the US battery market.
"The Volt board expects the JDA will accelerate the commercialization of Volt’s downstream value-added graphite products in various battery applications.”
The JDA provides for the collaboration by the three parties to improve alkaline battery performance while benefitting the end-users - consumers of UEP’s alkaline battery technologies - by offering a more attractive cost structure than the currently available industry solutions on the market.
Offtake plans
Following successful completion of the graphite technology programs for use in alkaline batteries, UEP and Volt plan to enter an offtake agreement for the supply of ultra-high purity graphite-based coatings and additives in addition to potential licensing benefits derived from the intellectual property developed.
The non-spherical purified graphite is made as a by-product of the spheroidization of purified graphite when producing lithium-ion battery anode material (BAM).
Volt is leveraging the `inverted’ flowsheet developed by AETC to produce not only spherical purified graphite for lithium-ion batteries but also non-spherical material that can be used in applications such as conductivity enhancement and other specialty uses.
Market opportunity
The alkaline battery market represents an opportunity for Volt with estimated annual sales of US$7.5 billion comprising 12 billion battery cells sold that require more than 14,000 tonnes of graphite.
Development of non-spherical graphite products for the alkaline battery market will improve the economics of Volt’s planned BAM facilities in the US and Europe leveraging flake graphite production capability from the Zavalievsky graphite business in Europe combined with the Bunyu Graphite Project development in Tanzania.
UEP recently announced the installation of a 1,000kWh battery backup system for the San Diego University Supercomputer Centre located in California, USA.
Volt will retain the intellectual property rights for the carbon-based compositions including non-spherical purified graphite and ultra-high purity graphite-based coatings relating to alkaline batteries.
About Urban Electric Power
Urban Electric Power revolutionizes the traditional alkaline battery transforming it into a powerful rechargeable alkaline battery. Incumbent battery solutions are falling short to meet the needs of changing energy infrastructure.
UEP spun out of federal and state research funds from the City University of New York Energy Institute.
Developing nations utilize toxic lead acid to solve challenges with electricity access and intermittency. The UEP battery utilizes earth-abundant materials from existing supply chains mined within ally nations, ensuring safe supply.
UEP envisions a future with clean renewable energy and safe battery technology to meet these challenges. For further information visit https://urbanelectricpower.com/