Morrow Batteries partners with Haldor Topsøe to establish cobalt-free cathode pilot production in Norway

Morrow Batteries announced yesterday the signature of a letter of intent with Danish chemical company Haldor Topsøe. The aim is to establish a pilot facility in South of Norway to commercialise new battery technology that will contribute to more cost-effective and sustainable batteries.

“We are pleased to partner up with a technology leader as Haldor Topsøe. This partnership forms the basis for the commercialisation of new and leading-edge battery technology. Our ambition is to develop and produce the world’s most cost-effective and sustainable batteries, and the collaboration with Haldor Topsøe is an important step in that direction”, says Terje Andersen, CEO of Morrow Batteries.

“The potential pilot will be the first production of cathode active materials in Norway and will also be a part of Morrow Industrialization Centre. Together with Haldor Topsøe we will also explore the potential for building a full-scale cathode active material factory at a suitable site in close proximity to our planned giga battery cell factory. These plans are in line with our long-term aim of building “The Battery Coast”, a compact battery value chain based on the existing industry cluster in the South of Norway”, says Andersen.

Over the past 10 years, Haldor Topsøe has invested significant resources in research and development of cathode active materials for cobalt-free lithium-nickel-manganese oxide (LNMO)-battery cells. The company’s world-leading technology can reduce the cost of battery cells by 20 percent compared to the current level.

The new cathode technology draw on Haldor Topsøe’s know-how from many years of in-depth experience with catalysis and materials science, from product development at the nanoscale to fully industrialised manufacturing at the ton-scale.

The LNMO battery chemistry has several advantages. The high working potential and high energy density pave the way to either longer operating ranges or a smaller battery package, whilst the three-dimensional spinel structure makes it possible to achieve high discharge rates and fast battery charging. The absence of cobalt and the relatively low nickel content make this a cost-effective alternative to today’s mainstream lithium-ion battery chemistries.

“We are very pleased to sign a letter of intent with Morrow Batteries. Our longstanding research and development of cobalt-free LNMO cathode material contribute to producing more cost-effective batteries. We look forward to contributing to the much-needed electrification of the world with this innovative technology”, says Kim Grøn Knudsen, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, in Haldor Topsøe.

Content from press release issued on 21.01.2021.