Technology

  • Cobalt Market Faces Pressure Amid Oversupply and Shift to LFP Batteries

    BY Lars Jensen
    The cobalt market is currently under pressure, with supply outpacing demand and prices reflecting the shift. Cobalt sulfate prices have been gradually declining, suggesting a slowdown in demand, especially from China’s passenger electric vehicle (PEV) sector. This shift is attributed to the growing preference for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which do not require cobalt. According to...
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  • Metso Launches Integrated Copper Electrowinning Plant for Sustainable Copper Production

    BY Lars Jensen
    Metso has introduced an integrated Copper Electrowinning (CuEW) Plant designed to ensure safety and operational sustainability in producing high-purity copper cathodes. The pre-engineered layout of the CuEW Plant is flexible and scalable, accommodating a range of production capacities. The plant utilizes advanced digital and automation solutions, as well as an acid mist capture system, to...
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  • Capral Aluminium Successfully Trials Recycled-Content Billet with Rio Tinto at Boyne Smelters

    BY Lars Jensen
    Capral Aluminium has successfully completed a trial of recycled-content billets supplied by Rio Tinto at Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL). The trial utilized 50 to 100 tonnes of post-production aluminium scrap from Capral’s Bremer Park extrusion plant in South East Queensland. This scrap was remelted and cast into billets, resulting in a new product containing a...
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  • Velta Receives \$60 Million LOI to Develop Titanium Manufacturing Facility in the US

    BY John Davis
    Velta Holding U.S., the parent company of Velta based in Dnipro, Ukraine, has announced that it has received a non-binding Letter of Interest (LOI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for \$60 million. The LOI outlines a provisional funding package with a 20-year repayment term to support the development of Velta’s Titanium...
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  • New Nickel-Copper Catalyst Converts Ethanol to Synthesis Gas with High Efficiency

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Scientists have developed a stable nickel-based catalyst with a copper admixture capable of converting ethanol into synthesis gas with 95% efficiency. This process, which utilizes ethanol produced from carbon dioxide, offers a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gases while producing synthesis gas used in chemical production and power generation. The study, supported by the Russian...
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  • Global Aluminum Honeycomb Market Set for Significant Growth by 2034

    BY Lara Browne
    The global aluminum honeycomb market, valued at USD 3.57 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed USD 6.65 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43%. The increasing demand for lightweight, energy-efficient materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction is driving this growth. The Asia Pacific region led...
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  • Scientists Develop Platinum Compounds for Eco-Friendly Polymer and Drug Synthesis Using Green Light

    BY Lara Browne
    Scientists from St. Petersburg State University have developed new platinum compounds that catalyze the synthesis of polymers and drugs under green light. This breakthrough allows chemical reactions to be conducted more efficiently and under milder conditions, thanks to the use of low-energy green radiation, making the process more natural and environmentally friendly, as reported by...
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  • Volkswagen’s Kassel Foundry Introduces Energy-Efficient Chip Melting Furnace

    BY Lara Browne
    The Kassel foundry has made significant strides in advancing recycling efforts with the installation of a chip melting furnace, which has been operational since June 2024. This innovative furnace is expected to lower energy consumption by approximately 3,250 MWh annually, leading to significant reductions in operating costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the new system will...
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  • New GRIPM Powder Materials Facility in Thailand Begins Operations

    BY John Davis
    Makin Metal Powders, a subsidiary of China’s GRIPM Group based in Rochdale, UK, has announced that its new metal powder production facility in Chonburi Province, Thailand, is now operational. The GRIPM Powder Materials plant, which is ISO 9001 certified, dispatched its first orders in July this year. The new facility has the capacity to produce...
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  • Molyon Secures $4.6 Million to Commercialize Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Molyon, a startup spun out of 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, has secured $4.6 million in funding to kickstart manufacturing at its first pilot facility for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The company claims its Li-S technology offers twice the energy density of traditional lithium-ion batteries, marking a significant advancement in energy storage...
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  • Lyten to Acquire Cuberg’s Facility to Expand Lithium-Sulfur Battery Production

    BY Lars Jensen
    Battery manufacturer Lyten is set to acquire Cuberg’s lithium-metal battery manufacturing facility in San Leandro, California, with plans to invest up to $20 million to convert the facility for lithium-sulfur battery production. The investment will also include purchasing additional equipment and expanding production capacity to 200 megawatt hours per year, according to a company press...
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  • Korea Zinc Chooses Hanwha for Australian Battery Storage Project

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Korea Zinc Inc., the world’s largest lead and zinc smelter, has announced that its Australian subsidiary, Ark Energy, has selected Hanwha Corp. as the preferred partner for a battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Australia. The partnership comes as part of ongoing efforts to develop renewable energy solutions within the region. Korea Zinc and...
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  • SK On Secures Domestic Lithium Hydroxide Supply with Posco-Pilbara Agreement

    BY John Davis
    SK On Co. has entered into a long-term agreement with Posco-Pilbara Lithium Solution to secure a domestic supply of lithium hydroxide, a crucial component for battery cathodes. The deal, signed in Seoul on Friday, represents a significant step towards strengthening SK On’s supply chain for battery materials. Under the agreement, SK On will receive up...
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  • New Flash Joule Heating Technology Could Revolutionize Rare Earth Processing

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    A new technology developed by MTM Critical Metals has the potential to bring about a significant shift in the processing of rare earth elements (REE). The company’s flash joule heating (FJH) technology has successfully removed nearly 50% of the main impurities—iron, aluminium, calcium, and phosphorus—from REE flotation concentrate in a single step. This breakthrough now...
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  • ABB Partners with Boliden to Promote Sustainability Using Low-Carbon Zinc

    BY Lars Jensen
    ABB has announced a partnership with Swedish mining company Boliden to advance sustainability in power distribution systems by utilizing Low-Carbon Zinc. This zinc has a carbon footprint 75% lower than the industry average, playing a crucial role in supporting a circular economy and promoting a fossil-free society. Boliden, supported by ABB’s electrification solutions, uses renewable...
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  • NTUST Professor Wins Y.Z. Hsu Science Award for Lithium Battery Safety Innovation

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) Professor Wang Fu-min has been awarded the 2024 Y.Z. Hsu Science Award in Green Technology for his groundbreaking innovations that enhance the safety of lithium batteries. Wang’s research focuses on addressing one of the key challenges in battery technology: improving safety without sacrificing performance. Professor Wang developed...
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  • ElectraLith Raises $19 Million to Advance Water-Free Lithium Extraction Technology

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    ElectraLith, a lithium technology startup backed by Rio Tinto, expects to finalize a funding round to raise A$29 million ($19 million) within the next week, despite the current struggles in the global lithium market. The company’s Melbourne-based CEO, Charlie McGill, expressed optimism regarding the oversubscribed investor base, highlighting the strong interest even in a challenging...
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  • Nandina REM Launches Pioneering Aircraft Recycling Initiative to Boost Aviation Sustainability

    BY John Davis
    Singapore-based start-up Nandina REM has launched an innovative aircraft recycling initiative aimed at transforming retired aircraft materials into high-quality, ultra-low-emission, traceable resources for the aviation and automotive industries. This development is part of the company’s efforts to promote sustainability by reusing these materials in new aircraft and products such as electric vehicle battery casings. The...
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  • Vulcan and BASF Partner for Geothermal Energy Exploration in Germany

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Vulcan Energy and BASF have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore geothermal energy usage at BASF’s Ludwigshafen facility in Germany. The partnership aims to leverage natural geothermal heat to provide a renewable energy source for BASF’s largest production site, and could also benefit surrounding urban areas like Frankenthal and Ludwigshafen. The project is intended...
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  • Rusal Fires Up Electrolyser with Inert Anodes, Moving Closer to Zero-Carbon Aluminium

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Rusal, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has made a significant breakthrough by successfully starting up an electrolyser using inert anodes. This marks the first time in aluminium production history that the process has been initiated without relying on conventional coal anodes, resulting in pure oxygen being released instead of greenhouse gases. The development...
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  • Glencore Tests New Copper Extraction Technology at Chilean Mine

    BY Lara Browne
    Glencore is advancing efforts to extract more copper from lower-quality ore at its Lomas Bayas mine in northern Chile. The company has started on-site testing of a new leaching technology developed by Ceibo, a Chilean startup supported by BHP Group. The move comes as part of the mining industry’s push to increase metal yields from...
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  • Nickel Prices Expected to Stay Rangebound in 2025 Amid Supply Surplus

    BY Lara Browne
    The nickel market, which heavily relies on demand from the stainless steel and electric vehicle (EV) sectors, is proving to be challenging to forecast due to its volatility. After a significant spike in 2022 triggered by geopolitical events, nickel prices have since stabilized but remain sensitive to shifts in market conditions. Nickel demand is closely...
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  • Echion and CBMM Launch World’s Largest Production Facility for Niobium Anode Material

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Echion Technologies and CBMM have officially launched the world’s largest production facility dedicated to Echion’s XNO active anode material. Located in Araxá, Brazil, this new facility aims to revolutionize the lithium-ion battery industry by enabling ultra-fast charging and improved performance. The strategic partnership between Echion and CBMM played a key role in bringing the facility...
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  • CATL Announces Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Battery, Aiming for 2025 Launch

    BY John Davis
    Chinese battery giant CATL has announced the development of its second-generation sodium-ion battery, set to launch in 2025. Speaking at the World Young Scientists Summit, CATL’s chief scientist Wu Kai unveiled the new battery, which aims to enhance performance, particularly in cold conditions, and provide an alternative to lithium-ion technology. CATL’s new sodium-ion battery will...
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