Lake Resources ‘clean’ lithium to be tested by Novonix for use in high-performance batteries

Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTC:LLKKF) has taken another big step in its strategy to deliver ‘clean’ lithium to the growing global green energy push by appointing leading battery technology and materials company Novonix to produce high-performance lithium-ion battery test cells. Well-respected Nova Scotia, Canada-based Novonix Battery Technology Solutions will use Lake’s high-quality lithium carbonate samples together with commercial battery cathode precursor materials to produce NMC622-based lithium-ion battery test cells. Data from the battery technology and materials company will allow potential users and offtakers of Lake’s high purity, responsibly sourced product to make direct comparisons of its performance. Follows Hazen appointment This appointment comes hot on the heels of Lake’s recent agreement with Colorado-based Hazen Research to produce lithium carbonate samples from lithium chloride produced by Lake’s technology partner, Lilac Solutions, at its pilot plant in California. These developments with key battery technology developers provide further evidence of the ability of Australian companies to play key roles in delivering better global solutions in the new energy space. “Highly respected” Lake’s managing director Steve Promnitz said: “Novonix is a highly-respected and groundbreaking battery testing company spun out of Dr Jeff Dahn’s lab at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. "The team is known as a world-leader in new battery technologies, as shown by the quality of their global client base.” He told Proactive Dahn was a “real name” in the battery tech space and was playing a key role in Novonix’s ongoing independent work which was being recognised by battery makers. “They will be able to test our product more quickly and transparently than the downstream players and will, therefore, create more interest from potential off-takers.” Shares have been more than 15% higher intra-day to 3.7 cents. Quality client base Novonix is developing ‘million-mile’ battery technologies with revolutionary anode and cathode materials. It has designed, manufactured and sells high precision battery testing equipment to Tier-1 battery makers and OEMs in 15 countries including Panasonic, CATL, Samsung, SK Innovation, Apple, Bosch, Honda and Dyson. Using Novonix’s pilot cell line and proprietary advanced diagnostic tools, the performance of Lake’s high purity, responsibly sourced lithium product will be evaluated for conformity with lithium-ion battery standards. Will allow comparisons The data produced will allow potential users and off-takers of Lake’s product to make direct and relevant comparisons of its performance to familiar cell chemistries. Promnitz said: “With EV makers accelerating their production plans, high-purity and responsibly sourced lithium is in increasingly short supply globally. “We look forward to expediting the results from Novonix and providing samples to potential offtake partners as soon as possible.” The Novonix appointment comes just a few weeks out from Tesla Inc’s (NASDAQ:TSLA) annual battery day and there is an expectation of Tesla delivering further developments in battery technology. Hazen results within weeks Hazen’s first battery-quality lithium carbonate samples are expected to be produced within weeks and Lake is confident that high purity will be confirmed because results obtained from Lilac’s pilot plant are similar to prior benchtop testing. Lilac previously produced 99.9% pure lithium carbonate from lithium chloride using the conventional lithium carbonate process. The first batch of lithium carbonate will then be processed into NMC622 lithium-ion batteries by Novonix, which will take a minimum of four months, with the first results expected two months after the cathode material is produced.