Oct 5 2012
Nemaska Lithium is pleased to announce that it has signed an off-take and collaboration agreement ("Agreement") with Phostech Lithium Inc. ("Phostech"), a Clariant AG group company. (Swiss Exchange: CLN) Per the Agreement, Phostech agrees to evaluate and purchase from Nemaska the output of the lithium hydroxide monohydrate to be produced by Nemaska's Phase I plant.
Nemaska and Phostech also agree to collaborate in order to determinate the economic and technical feasibility of tailoring the lithium hydroxide fabrication process according to Phostech's specifications. Pending financing and budgetary considerations, Nemaska Lithium intends to build a Phase I, 500 tonnes a year lithium hydroxide plant using its proprietary chemical transformation process.
"This is our first agreement with an end user and we are delighted to be working with Phostech, a division of Clariant, a large established multinational organization that focuses on speciality chemicals including battery cathode material manufacturing," commented Guy Bourassa, President and CEO of Nemaska Lithium. "This agreement will accelerate our decision to build a Phase I lithium hydroxide plant which will also be used as a marketing tool to discuss with other potential customers."
"High-quality raw materials are a key element for cathode materials to be used in long-lasting lithium ion batteries," commented Denis Geoffroy, General Manager, Phostech Lithium. "We are eager to evaluate a new source of lithium hydroxide and explore a long-term relationship with Nemaska Lithium."
Phostech recently opened its facility in Quebec that produces the Life Power® P2 C-LiFePO4, a safe, high-power cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in hybrid and electric vehicles, solar and wind energy storage and power tools.