Talga Group’s (ASX:TLG) Swedish subsidiary has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fortum Battery Recycling to explore strategic opportunities in the European graphite and battery materials value chain.
The MoU will combine Talga’s expertise in high-purity primary graphite mining and proprietary anode production technologies with Fortum’s battery recycling capabilities and access to the production of sustainable battery raw metals.
The framework will evaluate potential workstreams, including the supply of graphite recovered from Fortum’s recycling operations for refining into battery anode materials by Talga. It will also assess the joint development of blended or optimised anode materials that combine primary and recycled graphite streams.
By collaborating, the partnership intends to create diversified feedstock options and new routes to market for primary and circular anode products, generating ‘meaningful’ value for Talga.
For Fortum, the partnership will provide a pathway to extend its battery materials offering and strengthen its European strategic autonomy in critical battery materials.
The two companies are also discussing power supply and energy solutions to support Talga’s Vittangi Anode Project in northern Sweden, along with future operations. This will leverage Fortum’s low-carbon electricity generation portfolio.
Talga CEO Martin Phillips says that to ensure the continued growth of key industries in Europe, such as the lithium-ion battery market, Europe needs “secure, sustainable, and diversified sources of graphite”.
“We are pleased to work with Fortum to evaluate how primary and recycled resources can be combined and to explore broader cooperation that can strengthen Talga’s Vittangi Anode Project and Europe’s battery ecosystem,” Phillips says.
Fortum Head of Battery Recycling Anssi Airas says that to strengthen Europe’s battery industry, there must be “collaboration across the whole value chain”.
“With graphite playing an increasingly strategic role in battery supply chains, this memorandum of understanding provides a framework for evaluating how our respective capabilities can contribute to more resilient and circular battery material value chains in Europe,” Airas says.
Talga is a battery anode and advanced materials company focused on accelerating the global transition towards sustainable growth.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Main Image: Talga Group
