6K, a leader in the sustainable production of engineered materials for lithium-ion batteries and additive manufacturing based on its UniMelt® plasma technology, announced today that its 6K Energy division has signed a joint development agreement with Our Next Energy (ONE) to develop and produce the critical battery material used in ONE’s Gemini and Aries battery platforms.
The agreement strengthens ONE’s procurement of domestically produced electric vehicle batteries for automotive OEMs using battery materials produced locally by 6K Energy.
6K Energy JDA with Our Next Energy
Both organizations are committed to supplying the industry with domestically sourced batteries and battery materials while also reducing the environmental impact of traditional manufacturing technologies.
“ONE is recognized in the industry as chartering exciting new milestones with their Gemini and Aries battery technologies. This agreement allows us to leverage the power of our UniMelt microwave plasma to extend performance of the chemistries, while keeping production on US soil.”
– Sam Trinch, President, 6K Energy
Both organizations will collaborate on two chemistries that ONE intends to use in their battery platforms as part of the agreement. Iron phosphate and manganese materials are used in the chemistries. The ability to leverage strategic partnerships both upstream and downstream in the supply chain, such as 6K Energy’s relationship with Albemarle, a leading global supplier of lithium, and ONE’s ongoing relationships with leading automotive OEMs, is critical to the success of this agreement. ONE recently signed a contract with BMW Group to develop a prototype vehicle using ONE’s Gemini™ Dual-Chemistry battery technology.
Early collaboration will begin at 6K Energy’s Battery Center of Excellence in North Andover, MA, where both teams will collaborate on qualification and performance goals. The agreement outlines a production path in which 6K UniMelt technology would process cathode materials in ONE’s manufacturing plant.
“This agreement with 6K Energy represents an important milestone for both organizations. By onshoring our cell manufacturing and battery materials and implementing a localized supply chain, ONE will be able to reduce our products carbon emissions by 34%. Implementing 6K’s UniMelt technology will help ONE further drive down our emissions.”
– Dr. Deeana Ahmed, Vice President of Strategy and Government Relations at ONE
Dr. Ahmed continued, “Since 2020, supply chain disruptions have underscored the importance of a domestic battery supply chain. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is vital for this partnership; the unprecedented incentives contained in the IRA will accelerate demand for American-made energy storage technology. The law will facilitate new partnerships that will define the next generation of manufacturing jobs.”
The UniMelt system from 6K replaces a lengthy, multi-step, high waste chemical process with one that is ultra-clean and ultra-fast (as little as 2 seconds) and powered by a 6000K microwave plasma. In comparison to today’s state-of-the-art cathode active material (CAM) plants, 6K Energy has half the footprint, significantly lower CapEx, and lower conversion costs. In the United States, implementing a 6K Energy solution for CAM production has the potential to save billions of dollars, eliminate solid and liquid hazardous waste, and reduce water usage by 90%.
By moving toward more sustainable supply chains, ONE intends to have a significant global, social, and economic impact on emerging markets. And they’re doing it with two battery technologies: Aries, a high energy density LFP pack, and Gemini, a dual-chemistry battery technology capable of 600 miles of range in passenger vehicles while prioritising more sustainable materials.
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