The Weekly Potential #3
European battery troubles and hopes, how to make metallurgy sustainable, and what is the problem with electric vehicles
Welcome to the 3rd edition of The Weekly Potential. With this series, our aim is to deliver a weekly digest that covers the latest developments in the energy and materials industry.
In this week’s edition, learn about European battery challenges, highlighted by Italy's decision to withdraw funding from Stellantis. However, there's optimism as E-Lyte opens its first electrolyte production plant in Germany. This contrasts with the U.S., where Mitra Chem received a $100 million grant to establish an LFP cathode supply chain within the country. Additionally, discover how we might reduce greenhouse emissions in the metallurgical sector and explore the underlying issues with electric vehicles.
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Industry Developments
1. E-Lyte Opens Electrolyte Plant in Germany
E-Lyte Innovations GmbH, in collaboration with FUCHS, has opened an electrolyte production plant in Kaiserslautern, marking a significant milestone for the European battery industry. The plant boasts a production capacity of up to 20,000 tons of electrolyte per year for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, sufficient for potentially hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles. The project received investment from the FUCHS Group in 2022 and funding from Germany's Environmental Innovation Programme.
With plans to enter the North American market by 2025 and significantly scale up production, E-Lyte aims to become a global player in the rapidly growing field of energy storage solutions.
2. Italy Cuts Funding to Stellantis’ Gigafactory
Italy's government has decided to reallocate approximately €200 million in European Union funds that were initially reserved for a project by Stellantis to build a battery gigafactory in eastern Italy.
Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a joint venture involving Stellantis, Mercedes Benz, and Total Energy, had planned to establish three battery gigafactories across Europe: in France, Germany, and Italy. While the French facility is currently under construction, the projects in Italy and Germany have been postponed due to a slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles. This delay has prompted Italy to redirect the funds towards other investments that align with Rome's strategy to enhance the green credentials of its economy.
3. U.S. Department of Energy Awards Mitra Chem $100 Million for Domestic Battery Manufacturing
Mitra Chem, a U.S.-based producer of lithium iron phosphate (LFP), has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive up to $100 million in funding. This investment is aimed at establishing an American supply chain for LFP battery cathodes, focusing operations in Michigan. This initiative is in line with broader goals set by Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.
Mitra Chem will collaborate with Sun Chemical, leveraging their century-long experience in advanced particle engineering, as well as their expertise in manufacturing, and existing regulatory compliance.
Paper of the Week
The metallurgical industry is one of the major emitter of greenhouse gases, so it is the prime target for decarbonization. In this paper, the authors outline a hydrogen-based redox synthesis and compaction approach that reforms traditional alloy-making by merging metal extraction, alloying and thermomechanical processing into one single solid-state operation. This results into a zero CO2 emission process.
On the Go
In their latest video, Interesting Engineering explains the primary concerns with electric vehicles and why there's considerable apprehension about China's advancements. The discussion highlights China's progress in overcoming technical challenges related to charging infrastructure and speed, alongside significant cost reductions for vehicles. These achievements pose a formidable challenge for Western automakers, who have struggled with similar cost-cutting and technological advancements.
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