Johnson Matthey, the auto battery and catalyst supplier, said its new battery cathode materials plant in Konin, Poland, would be powered solely by electricity from production start.
It signed a contract with Axpo, a European producer and marketer of solar and wind renewable energy, to supply the new factory which is scheduled for commissioning in 2022 to supply automotive platforms for production in 2024.
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"Using 100% renewable energy will significantly reduce the plant's carbon footprint and support Poland's shift to a lower carbon economy," the company said in a statement.
The new plant will advance commercialisation of eLNO, JM's family of nickel cathode materials designed for PHEV/BEV automotive battery applications.
"With production powered 100% by renewable energy, eLNO has the strong environmental credentials that contribute to a sustainable battery value chain," the supplier added.
Johnson Matthey said this was a first step in its plan to invest in partnerships to develop new, long-term, renewable energy supply as the battery materials business expands capacity.
Christian Guenther, chief executive, battery materials, said: "Making battery materials is an energy intensive process. When running at target capacity, our Konin plant will significantly increase JM's overall energy consumption, so it's crucial that we minimise its carbon footprint from the outset to ensure a sustainable battery value chain."
The supplier is a member of the Global Battery Alliance and supports the GBA's 10 principles for a sustainable battery value chain.
