Battery maker Thurso to build production line in Australia’s “Lithium Valley”

Thurso-based battery maker AMTE Power has unveiled plans to build a production line in Australia as it takes further steps towards its ambition to build a ‘gigafactory’ in the UK.

AMTE has partnered with InfraNomics Technologies to build a 200,000 cell “micro” production line in Australia’s “lithium valley”.

The company, which specializes in the development and production of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells, said its ambition for the joint venture was to “eventually build a giga-factory to manufacture lithium-ion battery cells. ion capable of producing between 1 and 2 GWh per year. for use in energy storage systems in Australia ”.

Evidence

Kevin Brundish, managing director of AMTE, insisted the company would still continue to develop the UK-based gigafactory. The joint venture, named Bardan, would provide an “additional testing platform for our technologies and be particularly useful additional experience and evidence for investors and customers.”

Reports have warned that the UK faces a “major gap” in the planned development of battery cell production capacity. This means the UK risks losing domestic auto production altogether unless it catches up, according to the report by manufacturing consultancy HSSMI. It is estimated that the UK will need 140 GWh of battery cell capacity, according to the Faraday Institution’s research program.

More is better for AMTE Power

Mr Brundish said: “The more our cells are in production, whether in the UK or Australia, it all adds to the commercial appeal of our cell portfolio.

“Bardan is attractive as a stand-alone investment proposition for us, given the expected demand in Australia for energy storage solutions, but at the same time, Bardan is attractive as an additional test platform for our technologies and will be particularly useful as additional experience and evidence. to investors and customers of our capabilities as we continue to develop our UK-based gigafactory.

© AMTE Power

“For Bardan, there is no doubt that the combination of our licensed technology and our knowledge of large-scale battery cell manufacturing fits perfectly with InfraNomics’ capital raising capabilities, their knowledge of the local market and of the supply chain.

“We believe Bardan can play an important role in Australia’s future cell production supply chain.”

Energy transformation is the biggest growth market

Cameron Edwards, Director and Founder of InfraNomics, added, “The relationship with AMTE provides Bardan and its customers with the cutting-edge technological expertise required to manufacture world-class products suitable for extreme environments.

“The global energy transformation is one of the most important growth markets in the world and we are excited to play a role in relocating manufacturing in Australia’s energy sector and creating a vital part of the the value chain of critical raw materials. “

AMTE has developed a range of battery types using a variety of chemistries for specialty markets. Its “new generation” battery products are being prototyped at Thurso, one of which is being tested with an anonymous oil and gas equipment manufacturer.

The company was formed in 2013 by Mr. Brundish and his fellow directors Ian Whiting and Steve Farmer who acquired AGM Batteries, which produced conventional lithium-ion cells, from AEA Technology, a spin-off company of the UK Atomic Energy Authority. The agency, which then operated the nearby Dounreay nuclear power plant, was credited with building the world’s very first prototype lithium-ion battery.