Firstly, I'd like to apologise to all KNL holders, I have no idea how I missed such an important titbit from a company I'm watching like a hawk.
On the 26/9/14 SGL opened a research facility in Ulm with the view to focus on Lithium-Ion batteries. This is my favourite line, "This facility will close the gap between laboratory research and the development of lithium-ion cell production on an industrial scale in Germany".
And their partners? "our industry partners BASF SE, BMW AG, Daimler AG, Elring Klinger, Manz AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Rockwood Lithium, and Siemens AG" and they're looking to begin in 2015. Yes, BMW and Daimler.
And who is funding this? "The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Finance and Economic Affairs". Yes, the German government.
The above appears to not only fit the recent description of a "major European industrial group" and timeframe, but also the size of the off-take expectations (with Pavbar75 confirming discussions with management alluding to them taking up the remaining production from Epanko, being circa 30,000 t.p.a on top of the 10,000 t.p.a off-take already in place).
I'm now convinced, more than ever, that SGL and the above are related to KNL. Not only that, but we'll either see an MOU or off-take with SGL any day now, and they'll be given the opportunity to take up 10% of the company. Which given the indirect owners (Susanne Kalatten owns large positions in SGL directly, but also 50% of BMW with her mother) history, I'd suggest they will.
I believe money from SGL and nickel farm-out will be used to advance Merelani, maybe even Epanko if the government continues to drag their feet.
It appears that not only is the viability of Epanko about to be guaranteed, but we'll also have a cornerstone investor and funds to advance the project to the next stage.
This deal alone is a company maker, it'll see KNL shed the "graphite-hopeful" tag that has dogged it. Hold on to your hats and enjoy the ride, we're about to take off!
http://www.sglnewsroom.com/en/repor...y-cell-production-industry-partners.13184.php
(20min delay)