Talga Group (ASX:TLG) is scaling up its ‘world-class’ battery anode products on a commercial scale and is accelerating its next generation battery technology materials to diversify its product portfolio.
Speaking to Mining.com.au, Managing Director Mark Thompson says it has taken the first step in achieving its goals for the year. This includes the opening of its new Battery Centre of Excellence to expand Talga’s UK resource and development (R&D) facilities in Cambridge, which was first launched in 2016.
Focusing on battery material innovations, development and characterisation, the centre is designed to complement Talga’s existing facilities in Sweden (Talnode-C EV qualification production and battery quality control labs) and Germany (processing technology scale-up and graphene production).
Thompson told this news service the opening of the centre represents a ‘significant’ expansion of its R&D facilities to support its growing operations and suite of products currently under development.
“Our Centre of Excellence for battery material technology will focus on development of Talga’s battery and advanced materials. This includes our performance-boosting conductive additives for cathodes currently under development and our Talnode-Si graphene-graphite and silicon composite anode being qualified with leading global EV manufacturers.
The managing director says the centre plays a vital role in the company’s product development roadmaps for both its battery and advanced material, and that funding for the development of the centre was self-funded by the company.
“Our UK R&D centre plays an integral part in our product development roadmaps for both our battery and advanced material. Talnode-C, Talga’s green natural graphite anode, was initially developed at our R&D facilities before progressing to customer sample production and advanced qualification at our Electric Vehicle Anode plant in Luleå, Sweden.
“Our UK R&D centre plays an integral part in our product development roadmaps for both our battery and advanced material”
The funding [for the development of the centre] came predominantly from existing cash reserves.”
The company notes the centre also forms a key part of its goal of becoming a global player in the battery supply chain, as well as its mission of enabling the world’s most sustainable batteries and consumer products.
The centre currently employs 10 people, including electrochemicals, chemical engineers, and materials scientists with room to expand. The company’s presence in Cambridge also delivers access to the varied innovation grant programs sponsored by the UK Government.
Thompson adds: “While we scale up our world-class battery anode products on a commercial scale, we look to accelerate our next generation battery technology materials to diversify Talga’s product portfolio for future growth.
Our UK R&D centre was first launched in 2016 and has been steadily growing. The new Centre of Excellence represents a significant expansion of our R&D facilities to support our growing operations and our suite of products under development.”
Talga is building a European battery and advanced materials supply chain, to offer products critical to its customers’ innovation and the shift towards a more sustainable world. The company believes vertical integration, including ownership of high-grade Swedish graphite projects, provides security of supply and creates long-lasting value for stakeholders.
Images: Talga Group Ltd
