GKN Hoeganaes, a division of GKN Powder Metallurgy, is partnering with First Phosphate to establish a North American supply chain for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for EVs.
The partnership follows GKN's integration of First Phosphate's magnetite into its Ancorsteel smelter. The process produces high-purity iron powder, which serves as a precursor to the LFP cathode active material (CAM) used in the production of LFP batteries.
First Phosphate will integrate high-purity Ancorsteel into its iron phosphate precursor (FP pCAM) and lithium iron phosphate cathode active material (LFP CAM) in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, which is scheduled to reach -400,000 annual result in 2032. GKN Hoeganaes is ready to scale its Gallatin, Tennessee operations to provide space and will provide its research and development facilities in Cinnamonson, New Jersey for process improvement and optimization.
“This partnership combines our high-quality phosphate resources with GKN Hoeganaes' expertise in iron powder production, setting the stage for a strong North American battery ecosystem,” said John Passalacqua, CEO of First Phosphate.
Source: GKN Powder Metallurgy