Moin Moin,
more and more often I read and hear in the specialised press that solid-state batteries represent the next generation:
• CATL, BYD, CALB, EVE Energy, Gotion others unite in China for solid-state battery breakthrough
• CASIP - the China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform
• Six of the top 10 automotive battery makers globally are taking part in the initiative
• Toyota aims to roll out EVs equipped with solid-state batteries in 2027-2028
• Nissan Motor plans to start selling them in fiscal 2028
• Honda is seeking to transition from liquid to solid electrolytes
• Volkswagen (QuantumScape - goal is to achieve a full charge in less than five minutes)
• BMW (France's Blue Solutions) is also rushing to commercialize them
• ProLogium Technology of Taiwan(semi-solid-state batteries) Joint development with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Total energies
• Nio (semi-solid-state batteries)
• Ganfeng LiEnergy, a subsidiary of Ganfeng Lithium, is producing semi-solid-state
• South Korea's SK On, the battery unit of energy group SK Innovation is developing two types of solid-state cells
• South Korea's Samsung SDI is developing a solid-state battery
Solid-state batteries have the potential to change the balance of power in the industry.
The 'holy grail' of batteries?
Promise
· greater energy density (more energy storage)
· greatly extend EV driving range
· faster recharging times
· are less flammable
· more energy storage in a smaller package, would allow car designers greater freedom
And now an interesting article by benchmark on lithium metal batteries:
https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/lithium-metal-deficit-could-limit-next-generation-battery-development-this-year?mc_cid=580f7c94ad&mc_eid=bd49c9f7d9Quote:
What is the state of production today?
Benchmark assesses global lithium metal production capacity to have been over 7,500 tonnes per year in 2023, but less than half of that was battery grade.
The precursor to lithium metal is lithium chloride.
Although this can be sourced directly from brine, with several lithium metal producers vertically
have an unsuitable impurity profile for integration.
Where direct lithium chloride supply is not available, battery-grade lithium carbonate can instead be converted to lithium chloride, albeit incurring considerable capital expense.
Assuming that solid-state batteries represent the next generation, I draw the following conclusions.
Huge quantities of lithium chloride will be needed in the future
The current production volume is negligible
Less than half of current production capacity is battery grade.
the majority of brine resources have an unsuitable impurity profile for integration
a production process of lithium chloride from spodumene is theoretically possible, but only conceivable with very energy-intensive processes
Conversion of lithium carbonate into lithium chloride is possible, but does not make economic sense. The total cost of producing battery grade lithium carbonate by 2025 is expected to amount to approximately 4,165 and 5,500 U.S. dollars per ton of lithium carbonate equivalent from brine and spodumene, respectively.
As far as I know, there are currently only three chloride producers worldwide. Arcadium, Albemarle and SQM. Soon to be joined by Galan's neighbour in Argentina and Galans shareholder, Ganfeng, with its Mariana Project.
After the points listed above, I will ask myself the following questions.
• Has Galan chosen the right product strategy with lithium chloride?
• Will there be a market for lithium chloride?
• Can a lithium-chloride market grow at all?
• Assuming an export licence: Would there even be a need for a domestic carbonate manufacturer?
• Does Galan have a resource that meets the very high requirements for Lithium-metal production?
• Is it an advantage that Galan's resource has the second lowest magnesium impurities in the world?
• Can we expect any interest in lithium chloride from Argentina in the future?
• Can we expect any interest of battery makers, OEMs, governments, etc. in lithium chloride / litium metal in the future?
• What are the chances that competitors will be able to switch to lithium chloride production?
• Why did Ganfeng decide to produce lithium chloride with its Mariana project?
• And why has the world's largest commodity trader secured a first purchase volume for 5 years with Galan, but would like to have more?
Questions upon questions that, if left unanswered, make me very doubtful about Galan Lithium and the overall interest.
In patient anticipation, I wish you all a wonderful day
Smith71
P.S. Perhaps the following idea is charming for Argentina?
Bringing the production of lithium metal into the country in order to benefit more from the lithium value chain in general.
(20min delay)