3M and Umicore have entered into a second technology licence agreement that further expands the use of nickel, manganese and cobalt (NMC) cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries.

Under the agreement, 3M has granted Umicore licence to a family of low cobalt NMC cathode material compositions for manufacture and sales to lithium-ion battery manufacturers for automotive and consumer electronics applications.

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The battery cathode compositions compose of nickel, manganese, and cobalt, covered by the deal. NMC cathode materials can meet requirements ranging from high-energy handheld consumer electronics to high-power (hybrid) electric vehicles.

“NMC cathode materials have shown significant advantages in large format battery applications like electric vehicles,” said Christian Milker, business manager, 3M Electronics Markets Materials Division.

“The very low cobalt compositions described in 3M’s patent will enable battery customers to further reduce cost and minimise materials cost fluctuations that are typical with higher cobalt cathode compositions.”

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