- Coating is the ultimate beneficiation step for graphite anode material; NMG is set to have a 2,000 tpa of CSPG production capacity thanks to its Phase-1 coating unit
- NMG’s innovative coating technology could generate up to 25% energy reduction, optimize production flow and provide versatility for different precursors as R&D advances
- NMG aspires to become North America’s largest and first fully-integrated lithium-ion battery anode material producer with one of the lowest environmental footprints within its sector
- NMG has secured a grant from the Government of Canada, to further advance the deployment of its proprietary coating technology
- The Canadian and U.S. battery value chain is fast developing and seeking local alternatives to Asian material supplies
A reflection of its focus on green technologies and local advanced manufacturing, Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. (“NMG”, “Nouveau Monde” or the “Company”) ( NYSE: NMG , TSXV: NOU ) has secured a $5.75 million grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (“SDTC”), a flagship program from the Government of Canada, for the deployment of its proprietary coating technology. Funding will support the ongoing construction of a Phase-1 commercial-scale unit to produce coated spherical purified graphite (“CSPG”) to complete the Company’s local, carbon-neutral and fully integrated value chain, from mining to beneficiation of anode material, for the growing lithium-ion battery market.
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NMG’s CSPG has outperformed industry-leading materials in electrochemical performance tests.
The Honourable Franois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, remarked: “ This is the time for bold and ambitious action. Our government is proud to support groundbreaking companies, like Nouveau Monde Graphite, that are making Canada a global leader in clean technology while ensuring a greener future for everyone. These innovators are driving our economic prosperity while creating well-paying jobs across Canada. They are key to the vital shift to a healthier environment and a net-zero carbon economy. ”
Coating is the ultimate beneficiation step for graphite anode material, creating a stable electrolyte interface layer in the battery system and increasing first-cycle efficiency. Production has historically been concentrated in Asia, with limited capacity and technological expertise in the Western World.
NMG is developing a vertically integrated natural graphite production, from ore to battery material, by leveraging its wholly-owned Matawinie graphite deposit and advanced manufacturing proprietary technologies, namely in purification and coating, to extract, transform and generate economic returns on this Canadian local natural resource.
NMG has opted for an innovative coating technology that could generate up to 25% energy reduction, optimize production flow and provide equipment versatility for accommodating different precursors as the Company advances its research and development program. The Company’s proprietary coating process has already demonstrated its high performance in electrochemical tests . Under the same conditions in half-button cell batteries, the reversible capacity (a measure of the energy density for performance) obtained with NMG’s anode material is 365 mAh/g compared with 360 mAh/g for the leading Asian standards.
Arne H Frandsen, Chair of NMG said: “Nouveau Monde has a clear vision of supplying the market with high value-added anode materials, critical for the electrification and decarbonization of our society. The ability to provide coated battery-grade graphite is critical for our value proposition. With our Qubec-based coating facility, we will have a 100% value chain – exclusively based in Canada. We all remain most grateful for the continued support.”
Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President, and CEO of NMG, commented: “The support reiterated by the federal government is instrumental in our effort to position Canada as a high-quality, environmentally focused and competitive alternative to existing Asian anode material producers. Our Phase-1 modules continue to accelerate the commercialization of our advanced products while derisking our development profile. At NMG, we aspire to become North America’s largest and first fully-integrated lithium-ion battery anode material producer for the world’s leading battery and auto manufacturers.”
Leah Lawrence, CEO of SDTC, added: “There is a tremendous opportunity to build a lithium-ion battery supply chain here in Canada. With their domestic sustainable low-carbon graphite production, Nouveau Monde Graphite is tapping into this opportunity. SDTC is happy to fund a company gearing up to compete on the global market while ensuring sustainability.”
The Canadian electric hub is fast developing with recent announcements from producers in critical minerals and metals, electrodes and batteries, as well as original equipment manufacturers. From four battery factories currently in production in Canada and the U.S., 17 are in construction or planned on the continent (Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, March 2022), adding pressure to already constrained procurement sources.
NMG is advancing with the deployment of its CSPG production with the construction of its Phase-1 coating line, targeted for commissioning before the end of H1-2022. This unit will complete the Company’s graphite-based product range for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors by having a production capacity of up to 2,000 tpa of anode material.