Lithium Australia subsidiary VSPC dispatches high-performance cathode material to potential customers

Lithium Australia NL’s (ASX:LIT) (OTCMKTS:LMMFF) (FRA:3MW) subsidiary VSPC Ltd has dispatched its second-generation lithium manganese ferro phosphate (LMFP) cathode power to potential customers after meeting industry performance and physical property specifications.  This comes at a time when battery and electric vehicle producers worldwide, among them BYD, VW and Tesla are transitioning to the use of lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. LIT says that lithium-ion batteries of both the LFP and LMFP type are cheaper and safer than those containing nickel and cobalt, and LMFP has up to 25% improvement in energy density over LFP. VSPC’s LFMP cathode material is available to both established battery manufacturers and other potential customers for testing, on schedule with previously released plans. “Ability to produce high-performance LMFP” Speaking to the high-performance of cathode material to customers, LIT managing director Adrian Griffin said: "Lithium Australia has not only demonstrated its unprecedented ability to produce high-performance LMFP (the next generation of energy-storage material) but has done so on schedule. “Potential customers can now access this advanced material for testing in commercial format lithium-ion cells. “Meanwhile, Lithium Australia continues to evaluate commercial production opportunities in the most rapidly expanding battery markets globally, with a view to shortening supply chains and reducing the carbon footprint of battery production." Background A developer of advanced cathode powders for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), VSPC has conducted extensive research in order to develop LMFP, a high-capacity LIB cathode powder containing no nickel or cobalt. LMFP is a lower-cost and safer cathode material for applications requiring higher-energy density batteries, including electric vehicles ('EVs') and large-scale stationary energy storage. VSPC produced its second-generation LMFP material using its recently developed and patented RC (reduced cost) process, as well as a cost-effective reagent regime. The work was carried out at VSPC's Brisbane, Queensland-based pilot plant which houses a fully equipped laboratory. Product samples sent Samples of VSPC's second-generation LMFP have been dispatched to established and potential customers for testing in commercial format LIBs. More LMFP – in limited quantities – will be made available to battery manufacturers focused on the EV market, on the basis that the LMFP be used to produce safe, cost-effective alternatives to nickel-based EV battery packs.