Battery technology company Novonix (ASX:NVX) has been granted a patent for its proprietary all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis technology in Japan.
Novonix, which has a market capitalisation of $386 million, says the patent pushes the company further as a provider of innovative technologies serving the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors by using its cathode processing to produce high-quality, single-crystal nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide (NMC) powders.
The company has 10 families of cathode process patent applications in various stages of examination across different jurisdictions.
CEO Chris Burns says Novonix’s cathode process offers a transformative method of cathode production, resulting in an economical and environmentally sustainable cathode material.
“Obtaining patent protection for our proprietary process in Japan, a key market for the battery industry, is a significant milestone on our road to commercialising this technology,” he says.
Novonix is continuing to use its pilot line capabilities to produce and sample various grades of mid-and high-nickel cathode materials based on the specifications of prospective commercialisation partners.
In September 2023, Novonix shared engineering study results which revealed the potential cost and waste reduction improvements over the conventional cathode synthesis process. The study found that Novonix’s process may reduce power consumption by an estimated 25%, and could practically eliminate waste by-product generation over the conventional process.
These factors contributed to a potential processing cost reduction of an estimated 50%, and potentially even lower capital costs by another 30%.
Novonix is focused on the global lithium-ion battery industry with innovative, sustainable technologies, high-performance materials, and more efficient production methods.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Novonix
