Li-Metal, a Canadian-based company, is developing lithium metal anodes and lithium metal production technologies. The company has a patent-pending production process that replaces lithium chloride as a raw material with lithium carbonate, which is easily available. This lowers the cost of lithium metal production and puts ease on the environmental footprint. The goal is a better lithium metal production process.
Li-Metal was recently awarded $1.9 million (CAD) as part of a $5.1 million (CAD) joint project with Blue Solutions by Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen). NGen has a focus on supporting advanced manufacturing in Canada — this will help Li-Metal develop its lithium metal anode technologies. NGen CEO Jayson Myers shared thoughts about co-investing with Li-Metal and Blue Solutions in a statement.
“If we want to win business in the globally competitive EV market, Canada must invest in world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities, in the cleanest, most cutting-edge technologies and processes,” he said.
“That’s why NGen has co-invested with Li-Metal and Blue Solutions in game-changing technologies that will sustainably drive the next generation of EV batteries, resulting in cleaner, more efficient electric vehicles and driving new investment and employment opportunities for businesses across Canada.”
Li-Metal co-founder and CEO Maciej Jastrzebski shared that the grant would help the company’s mission and progress.
“We are excited to receive NGen’s support as we continue to advance the development of lithium metal and anode technology,” Jastrzebski said.
“Ultimately, this grant will help our mission to secure a more sustainable battery materials supply chain for North American next-generation battery makers, significantly advancing Li-Metal’s progress to automotive-grade commercial production.”
Li-Metal will work with Blue Solutions not only to advance the development of the company’s technologies, but also to test the performance of its lithium metal anodes for the automotive market. The proceeds of the grant will support the commercialization of technologies for reprocessing lithium metal and the production of ultra-thin high-performance low-cost lithium metal anodes, the press release noted. This will help Li-Metal to take a key step before next-generation batteries can be used in EVs: supply battery materials and components needed for product qualification.