Additionally, high-nickel cathode materials, which allow us to make the most of our technical expertise, are gradually penetrating the secondary batteries market."

https://www.kitco.com/news/2021-07-06/Sumitomo-Metals-to-spend-424-million-on-cathode-expansion.html

Sumitomo Metals to spend $424 million on cathode expansion

Michael McCrae Tuesday July 06, 2021 14:34

 

(Kitco News) - Sumitomo Metal Mining said today it is spending 47 billion yen (US$424 million) expanding the production capacity of its cathode materials for secondary batteries for electric vehicles.

Expansion will occur in Japan. The new plant will be established in the Besshi area (Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture) and the production capacity at the Harima Refinery (Harima-cho, Kako-gun, Hyogo Prefecture) will
simultaneously be expanded.

Sumitomo expects production capacity of cathode material to hit 2,000t/month.

Nickel will be a key material.

"Production of secondary batteries for xEV has been expanding more and more as of late due to the
rapid acceleration of the electrification of vehicles that is occurring in line with the decarbonization
that is pursued all over the world," writes the company in a news release.

"SMM is now producing the nickel-based cathode materials for secondary batteries for xEV and there are signs of greatly expanded demand for our products. Additionally, high-nickel cathode materials, which allow us to make the most of our technical expertise, are gradually penetrating the secondary batteries market."

According to its website, Sumitomo operates eight mines and nine smelters and refineries.

By Michael McCrae

For Kitco News