Western Australia has been tipped as the prime location for a battery cathode active material (CAM) manufacturing destination, according to a new report.
The report, commissioned by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, pointed out that Australia currently produced nine of the ten mineral elements needed to produce most lithium-ion battery anodes and cathodes, and had commercial reserves of graphite, the remaining element.
“Accelerating global demand presents Australia with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transition into a major processing, manufacturing and trading hub if an adequate business case can be built.
“Critical components in advanced battery production; precursor, anode, cathode electrolyte, can be manufactured in Australia. Battery manufacturing technology central to downstream lithium processing therefore stands as a critical gap in the Australian supply chain,” the report states.