Author name: Cornelius Karow

Silicon battery manufacturer Group14 Technologies has raised 463 million dollars through a financing round and acquired a battery active material (BAM) factory in Sangju.

Contemporary Amperex Technology has suspended operations at one of its most important lithium mines in Jiangxi, China. The company announced that the mining license for the Yichun project expired on August 9, but an extension is currently being applied for. Production is expected to resume immediately after approval. However, according to a Bloomberg News report, this will not be possible for at least three months. The Yichun mine has an annual capacity of approximately 46,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent. This corresponds to about three percent of the projected global production for 2025, according to Australian government data. Following the announcement, lithium carbonate futures on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange rose eight percent. Shares in several lithium producers in China and Australia increased by double digits. The move comes amid increased regulatory measures in China targeting overcapacity in the raw materials sector. Local authorities had previously ordered Zangge Mining, a producer, to shut down a mine in Qinghai. For months, the global lithium industry has struggled with oversupply and weaker electric vehicle growth. After reaching a record high in 2022, prices have plummeted by nearly 90 percent. Source:https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chinas-catl-suspends-operations-major-lithium-mine-seeks-new-license-2025-08-11/

Canadian lithium company Rock Tech Lithium has received approximately €250,000 in funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space. The ELiSePro project aims to increase the yield of lithium in the converter process at the Guben site. As part of the project, Rock Tech Lithium will collaborate with RWTH Aachen University to compare various ion separation methods, such as nanofiltration, capacitive deionization, and lithium-ion sieves, in a systematic way. The processes will be evaluated from economic and technological perspectives for direct industrial application. The results are intended for publication and will be protected by patent law. Rock Tech’s planned lithium hydroxide refinery in Guben is expected to produce approximately 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually. This quantity would be sufficient to supply over 500,000 electric vehicles each year. Production is scheduled to begin in 2026. Third Round of Public Funding in a Few Months This new project follows funding of €800,000 from EIT RawMaterials and CAD 388,000 from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund of Ontario. Both programs support projects in lithium processing and ore sorting. The new grant marks the third public grant awarded to Rock Tech in a few months. Rock Tech sees itself as playing a strategic role in ensuring the security of supply of critical raw materials, particularly in the context of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. Source:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rock-tech-receives-further-research-funding-from-german-government-302527578.html

South Korean chemical company Posco Future M signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese battery material manufacturer CNGR and its South Korean subsidiary, FINO. They plan to develop the business of cathode materials for lithium iron phosphate batteries, initially targeting the energy storage systems market. Plans include constructing production facilities for LFP cathode materials and engaging in joint marketing activities. The companies did not disclose any specific details about potential production capacity or timelines. Implementation will be carried out through C&P New Material Technology, a joint venture founded in 2024. CNGR holds a 51 percent stake in the venture, FINO holds a 29 percent stake, and Posco Future M holds a 20 percent stake. Originally established for the production of precursor materials for battery cathodes, the joint venture is currently building a factory in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Series production is scheduled to begin there in 2026. Source:https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10551517