Element 25 Limited Updates on MoU with Nissan Chemical Corporation and NC Tokyo Bay Corporation
Update on Feasibility Study
Element 25 Limited (E25) is pleased to provide an update on the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nissan Chemical Corporation (NC) and NC Tokyo Bay Corporation (NCTB) to complete a Feasibility Study (FS) into a battery-grade High Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate (HPMSM) facility to be located at the existing NCTB site in Chiba prefecture, Japan.
High-Level Scoping Study Completed
In accordance with the MoU, the parties have now completed a high-level scoping study (Study) to examine the potential for E25 to construct the Facility at the Tokyo Bay site. The Study examined a range of factors, including permitting, logistics, reagent supply, labor, capital, and operating costs. The Study used the detailed information available from E25’s HPMSM Louisiana Project and utilized local knowledge about the Japanese market to factorize costs where direct estimates were not available.
Key Synergies with NCTB
A number of key synergies can be realized by co-locating E25’s low-emission technology and process at NCTB, including:
- NCTB operates a sulphuric acid plant at the Chiba production facility, which can supply acid to the proposed project.
- NCTB has substantial ancillary infrastructure, utilities, and services that can be provided to the HPMSM project.
- NCTB is located in Tokyo Bay and has private berths that can handle both liquid and bulk cargo, providing important logistics solutions.
The Proposed Chiba Site
The NCTB site in Chiba offers some unique opportunities for the co-location of an HPMSM facility. In addition to the production of sulphuric acid at the Chiba site, NC also produces sulphuric acid at both their Aichi and Toyama prefecture facilities, as well as other key reagents at the Toyama prefecture facility, all key inputs into the E25 process.
HPMSM in Japan
Japan has a long and proud history of automotive excellence, including the production of hybrid and Electric Vehicles (EVs). A number of leading EV battery and precursor manufacturers are also based in Japan. Japan, like many other countries, has designated manganese as a critical mineral and has legislated incentives to establish battery-related industries in Japan. Manganese is becoming an increasingly important input into EV batteries as the technology shifts away from nickel-rich chemistries to high manganese and LMFP (manganese-doped LFP) cathodes.
About Nissan Chemical and NC Tokyo Bay
Nissan Chemical Corporation is developing new products and businesses by utilizing its core technologies as a chemical company with a corporate vision of becoming a corporate group that "contributes to the protection of the global environment and the existence/development of humanity, offering the value sought by society."
Conclusion
The proposed Chiba site offers a unique opportunity for the co-location of an HPMSM facility, leveraging the existing infrastructure and resources of NCTB. The Study has confirmed the potential feasibility of the Facility, and the MoU parties have agreed to proceed to a more detailed investigation of the project. With the growing demand for high-purity manganese chemicals in Japan, this project has the potential to become a significant contributor to the country’s battery-related industries.
