QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - April 15, 2013) - Nemaska Lithium Inc. ("Nemaska" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:NMX)(OTCQX:NMKEF) announced that they have begun the execution of their lithium hydroxide marketing strategy beginning in Asia where numerous battery cathode manufacturers are located. The Company's CEO, Guy Bourassa, and Technical Manager, Jean Francois Magnan, are in Asia this week to initiate discussions with key customers for supply of lithium hydroxide products. The two will begin the trip in Taiwan, then onto to Hong Kong and Mainland China. In addition, Mr. Bourassa has been invited as a featured speaker at the 5th World Cobalt and Lithium Forum held in Chengdu, China.
https://www.asianmetal.com/Events_2013/2013CoLiF/Index_2013CoLiF_en.asp
On April 18th, Mr. Bourassa will be addressing the delegates of the conference as a near term supplier of lithium hydroxide in the global market. At the conference, lithium industry leaders are gathering to discuss the on-going consolidation of global lithium producers and the recent price increase of lithium compounds in 2011 and 2012 led by Rockwood and FMC.
Following the conference, Mr. Bourassa and Mr. Magnan will be meeting with Nemaska's strategic partner, Sichuan Tianqi Lithium Industries Inc. to discuss the global market for the different lithium compounds as well as a strategic investment in the Nemaska's Phase 1 Lithium Hydroxide Plant.
"This is a very important trip for us as we kick start our marketing strategy for lithium hydroxide," commented Mr. Bourassa, Nemaska's President and CEO. He continued, "Since announcing our intention to build a Phase 1 Plant, I have also received a number of inquiries from potential investors in Asia and I will be taking this opportunity to continue that dialogue."
Jean Francois Magnan, Nemaska's Technical Manager, commented "I look forward to speaking with many of my industry counterparts in Asia to discuss the latest battery designs that are using lithium hydroxide cathodes." He added, "Battery materials made from lithium hydroxide have a longer life cycle, higher power density and enhanced safety features, making these batteries the emerging choice of many customers. Our strategy is to provide a stable supply of lithium hydroxide that is of exceptional quality. We intend to begin sending samples of our high purity lithium hydroxide product to customers early next year and secure off-take agreements thereafter."
Mr. Magnan is a lithium industry expert and is the author/inventor of several patents in the lithium rechargeable batteries field. He is co-author of patents from the University of Montreal, Hydro-Québec and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) on lithium iron phosphate, a new cathode material for lithium ion batteries. Lithium hydroxide is used in the production of lithium iron phosphate cathodes as well as other cathode materials.