Nano One wants to be the power behind low-cost, high-performance battery materials

• Currently has 11 patents issued around the world with more pending
• Recently signed a joint agreement with Chinese cathode producer, Pulead Technology Industry
• Signed a joint agreement with French multinational Saint-Gobain.
• Financed into 2020; also received C$4.6 million in government grants

Nano One Materials Corp (CVE:NNO) (OTCMKTS:NNOMF) is a Canadian technology company that designs the materials that go into lithium-ion batteries. Nano One has an industrial process for producing low-cost, high-performance battery materials and a wide range of other advanced nanostructured composites. 

The company’s patented three-stage process uses equipment that is common in industry and is being engineered for high-volume production and rapid commercialization. Nano One’s method combines materials at the atomic level instead of the industry standard which involves mechanically melting, grinding and milling materials. 

How is it doing?

Nano One currently has 11 patents issued around the world, with more in the pipeline for 2019. There are currently more than 30 patents pending. 

A number of recent deals are compelling. Nano One recently signed a deal with Chinese cathode producer Pulead Technology Industry with an aim to improve the cost and performance of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials. Licensing and commercialization opportunities will also be explored as part of the collaboration.

“Pulead is a highly respected cathode producer with a track record of partnering with international providers of intellectual property,” said CEO Dan Blondal. “By working together, we aim to improve the cost and performance of LFP materials and to expand its use in industrial batteries, e-buses and electric vehicles.”

Nano One’s scientific team has developed an innovative process that simplifies the production of high-performance carbon-coated LFP. The technology improves operating and capital expenses through the use of lower-cost raw material inputs with fewer process steps.

Nano One also recently signed a deal with French materials giant Saint-Gobain. The two companies will work together to enhance high-temperature processing of Nano One’s lithium-ion battery materials.

The company says Saint-Goban’s materials are complementary to Nano One’s processing technology and the agreement adds to its current efforts with other strategic interests in the lithium-ion battery supply chain.

Last, but not least, the company has begun working with a tier-1 automotive supplier to develop cobalt-free high-voltage spinel (HVS) and nickel-rich NMC cathode materials to advance solid-state lithium ion batteries. There is a global effort to make solid-state batteries commercially viable, and Nano One’s technology is contributing to the development of the required cathode materials.

Financially charged 

From a financing perspective, Nano One is fully financed into 2020, after raising significant capital in 2016 and 2017. It has been the benefactor of a number of Canadian government grants, totalling C$4.6 million. 

Market forecasts project that demand for the cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries will reach US$10 billion by 2025.

What the boss says

“These two relationships are the first two of many that we’ve got in the pipe” says CEO Dan Blondal about the Pulead and Saint-Goban joint agreements. “We’re talking to large automotive OEM’s around the world, we’re talking to chemical companies and battery companies and you can expect to hear more announcements throughout the year.”

Contact Katie Lewis at [email protected]

Story by ProactiveInvestors