Stellantis Moves to Secure Future Battery Ingredients

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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10th October 2022

Stellantis seeks to bolster its future automotive battery supplies with an agreement to access lithium-ion battery ingredients from Australia.

The automotive group has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the future sale of quantities of battery grade nickel and cobalt sulphate products from the NiWest Nickel-Cobalt Project in Western Australia (NiWest). The project is an advanced nickel-cobalt development hoping to produce approximately 90,000 tons per annum of vital battery ingredients for the burgeoning electric vehicle market.

To date, more than AU$30M ($19M) has been invested into drilling, metallurgical test work and development studies. A Definitive Feasibility Study for NiWest is due to commence this month. The proposed location of the processing facility for NiWest is within approximately 20 miles of Glencore-owned Murrin Murrin operation, the largest nickel-cobalt operation in Australia. The closing of the non-binding MOU is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Stellantis strengthened its supply of low-carbon lithium hydroxide earlier this year, signing agreements with Vulcan Energy and Controlled Thermal Resources for Europe and North America, respectively. Maxime Picat, Stellantis chief purchasing and supply chain officer, said: “Every day, Stellantis is working to provide our customers clean, safe affordable, cutting-edge freedom of mobility. Securing the raw material sources and battery supply will strengthen Stellantis’ value chain for electric vehicle battery production and equally important, help the Company achieve its aggressive decarbonization target.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_