Nano One® Materials, a process technology company specializing in cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, has announced that the Company has been awarded $3 million from Natural Resources Canada (“NRCan”). The funds will support ongoing process optimization, supply chain diversification and enhanced commercial offerings for the One-PotTM production of lithium iron phosphate (“LFP”) cathode active materials (“CAM”), through to March 31, 2028.
“We are very grateful to NRCan and the Government of Canada for their continued support,” said CEO Dan Blondal. “These funds support us as we bring cost competitive and scalable LFP processing technology alternatives to markets, strategic partners and customers around the world, and they help us enhance our commercial offerings and supply chain solutions.”
The funds will be directed towards process technology optimization, economic regionalization and diversification of raw material supply. The process development work will be specifically focused on iron feedstock, leveraging the Nano One R&D facility in Burnaby, British Columbia and its pilot and demonstration facilities in Candiac, Québec. Strategic shareholder Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. will contribute technical expertise, testing and external validation for the development program.
LFP is a key cathode active material utilized in lithium battery systems, which are being deployed in grid decarbonization, defence, electric vehicle and data centre applications. Access to iron feedstock is critical to the global diversification, growth and resilience of LFP supply chains. As highlighted by the International Energy Agency1, 98% of LFP cathode materials are sourced from China, with iron phosphate (“FP”) precursor production that relies mainly on a unique supply of low-cost and high-volume iron sulphate feedstock.
The Company’s patented One-Pot process enables cost-competitive input of alternative iron feedstock that can be sourced in various jurisdictions around the world, eliminating the need to source FP precursor materials while enabling diversification of LFP supply chains. The technology is being optimized for the commercial production of LFP across three core market application segments—Defence & National Security, Energy Storage Systems and Electric Vehicles—to meet a range of economic, performance and supply chain requirements.
“We’re building a stronger, more productive, and increasingly prosperous Canada by supporting companies like Nano One that innovate here at home. This project will help scale up the production of battery materials and drive innovation in clean technologies vital to a lower-carbon future. With this investment, we are strengthening our supply chains and bolstering Canada’s economy, security, and sustainability,” said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
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