Albemarle and 6K sign deal to develop novel lithium battery materials

US-based lithium major Albemarle inked a joint development agreement to explore 6K's production platform, called UniMelt, to potentially develop novel lithium battery materials, the company said.

Albemarle said Jan. 13 it was developing advanced lithium materials to enable breakthrough levels of lithium-ion battery performance. 6K is a company focused on microwave-controlled plasma technology.

"The UniMelt plasma technology opens new reaction pathways for lithium material innovation. Our collaboration with 6K has significant potential," said Albemarle Chief Technical Officer Glen Merfeld in a statement.

S&P Global Platts assessed battery-grade lithium carbonate at a new high of Yuan 315,000/mt ($49,591/mt) on Jan. 13 on a delivered, duty-paid China basis, up Yuan 5,000/mt from Jan. 12.

Albemarle said 6K's UniMelt platform has potential benefits for sustainable manufacturing.

"For instance, if a conventional 16 GWh battery cathode production plant was converted to 6K's UniMelt platform, it would reduce CO2 emissions by 70%, lower water consumption by 90%, and reduce wastewater production by 100%, while requiring a 50% smaller factory footprint," the company said in a statement.

In addition to the deal, Albemarle has made an undisclosed investment in 6K through Volta Energy Technologies, the company said.

An existing financial investor in 6K, Volta is a venture capital firm launched in 2017 that also connects strategic investors like Albemarle with well-researched investment opportunities in the energy storage sector, it said.