Ionic Mineral Technologies Secures Major SITLA Land Expansion at Silicon Ridge, Confirms Large-Scale Mineral System Continuity

PROVO, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ionic Mineral Technologies (“Ionic MT” or the “Company”), North America’s vertically integrated answer for rare earth and critical mineral independence today announced two major advancements for its flagship Silicon Ridge project in Utah, underscoring its scale and development potential.

The Company has expanded its position with the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (“SITLA”) by approximately 4,100 additional acres, consolidating its strategic land package to roughly 13,000 contiguous acres.

This expansion is strategically significant, as it includes Section 21 (Township 7 South, Range 1 West), which encompasses the Soldier Pass Road alignment. Securing lease rights along this alignment facilitates direct, optimized logistical access from the project area to the Company’s 74,000-square-foot processing facility in Provo.

Step-Out Drilling Confirms System Scale and Continuity

Concurrently, Ionic MT has successfully completed a strategic step-out drilling program conducted at the direction of the independent Qualified Person (QP) overseeing the Company’s maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The program was designed to test the lateral extent of the mineralized clay system and provide the data necessary to expand the geological model for the PEA.

Utilizing air track rigs, drilling was limited to a shallow 100-foot depth for this phase. Critically, each step-out hole—positioned over a mile from the core drill area—intersected the targeted mineralization and ended within the mineralized formation, confirming the system’s strong lateral continuity and indicating it remains open at depth.

Andre Zeitoun, CEO and Founder of Ionic Mineral Technologies, said:

Consolidating 13,000 acres and confirming continuous mineralization across a 1,400-acre footprint reinforces that Silicon Ridge has the potential to be one of North America’s most significant and scalable critical mineral assets,

“Ending all step-out holes in mineralization at only 100 feet depth gives us tremendous confidence in the system’s size and continuity. The upcoming Phase 1 PEA will provide our first formal economic study, but the demonstrated scale clearly points to a district with immense potential for further definition and growth.”

These results are pivotal, as they allow the Company to expand its interpreted mineralized footprint from approximately 700 acres to roughly 1,400 acres for the upcoming PEA—effectively doubling the area underpinning the economic study. This expanded footprint within the broader 13,000-acre district provides key perimeter control and establishes a clear pathway for a follow-up drill campaign to test the full vertical and lateral extent of the resource.

A Large-Scale, Polymetallic “IAC-Plus” Resource

Silicon Ridge represents a major domestic source for 16 recoverable critical elements. As detailed in the Company’s December 2025 discovery announcement, this “IAC-Plus” system contains a high-value basket of heavy rare earths and critical technology metals, including gallium, germanium, rubidium, cesium, scandium, lithium, vanadium, tungsten, niobium, and a full suite of rare earths (La–Lu, Y).

A Single Feedstock for Sovereign Supply Chains

Silicon Ridge’s polymetallic “IAC-Plus” clay is the primary feedstock for Ionic MT’s vertically integrated production, designed to bypass complex, high-cost hard-rock processing:

• Critical Minerals & Rare Earths: A secure, domestic source for materials currently imported almost entirely from abroad.
• IonAl Alumina: A strategic domestic source of metallurgical & specialty grade alumina for industrial applications.
• Ionisil Nano-Silicon: A proprietary, high-performance anode material to improve Lithium-ion battery energy density by 30-40%.

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Michigan AG asks Chinese battery maker Gotion to return $23.7 million after defaulting on US plant

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Friday asked Chinese battery company Gotion Inc to return $23.7 million in state funds the company received after the company last year abandoned a plan to build a $2.4 billion plant in Michigan to produce key materials for electric vehicle batteries.

The plan, first announced in October 2022, was expected to create 2,350 factory jobs but came under criticism from some lawmakers for the company’s Chinese ownership. Gotion did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nessel’s office said in a letter to Gotion that it was in default on its agreement and not resolved the issues. It gave Gotion 30 days to repay the funds.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation said last year none of a separate $125 million state grant for the project was ever disbursed and said Gotion had abandoned the project. Gotion denied that but lawyers for the company said in a court filing earlier this month the project “is no longer viable.”

Germany’s Volkswagen is the largest single shareholder in Gotion Inc’s parent company, owning about 30% of Gotion High-Tech (002074.SZ) U.S. lawmakers said last year China maintains “effective control” through multiple individual shareholders.Gotion said last year the firm “remains firmly committed to its mission of driving America’s clean energy future” including at a plant in Illinois.In March 2024, Gotion sued Green Township in Michigan for allegedly breaching an agreement to build the plant.Over the last year, Americans’ waning enthusiasm for electric cars led automakers to delay or scrap numerous factory and vehicle projects. After recent EV policy changes by the Trump administration, automakers are further retrenching.

Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington;Editing by Chizu Nomiyama

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Porsche starts production of the Cayenne Electric and strengthens battery expertise

02/02/2026

The Cayenne Electric celebrated its world premiere in mid-November 2025. Production in Bratislava has also already started – on a line with the models with combustion engines and hybrid drives. This flexible production enables Porsche to react quickly to changes in demand. In order to further expand its own battery expertise in a targeted manner, the sports car manufacturer is also relying on battery modules developed entirely in-house for the Cayenne Electric. These are manufactured in the Porsche Smart Battery Shop in Horná Streda – located around 100 kilometres northeast of Bratislava.

In many ways, the new Cayenne Electric pushes the boundaries. With an output of up to 850 kW (1,156 hp), the top-of-the-range Cayenne Turbo is the most powerful Porsche production model of all time. The new generation also impresses with the largest screen area of a Porsche to date and a high response speed of the Porsche Communication Management (PCM). In addition, the Cayenne has never been so extensively customized.

Porsche is also breaking new ground in production. “Through the Cayenne Electric, we are firmly transferring Porsche’s DNA into the future – with our battery modules developed in-house, the highest levels of manufacturing quality and a production line that seamlessly combines combustion engines, hybrid systems and electric powertrains,” says Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG. “This gives us the flexibility we need to reliably provide the highest quality, state-of-the-art technology and to meet individual customer requirements for every market worldwide.”

Battery expertise as a strategic key

Together with Porsche Werkzeugbau GmbH, Porsche has set up the Porsche Smart Battery Shop in Horná Streda, a state-of-the-art production site for the next generation of battery modules. The close integration with Porsche Toolmaking was a key success factor: competencies from prototype production could be seamlessly transferred to series production. In a precisely controlled process consisting of cell preparation, stacking, laser welding, foaming, cold plate integration and end-of-line testing, the modules are created under complete quality control.

Markus Kreutel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche Werkzeugbau GmbH, says:

With the Smart Battery Shop, we are bundling decades of industrialisation experience with state-of-the-art battery technology – from cell processing to fully automated end-of-line testing,

“This end-to-end vertical integration gives Porsche control over the quality, precision and scalability of a key technology that will significantly shape our future.”

High-performance starts in the battery

With a gross energy content of 113 kWh, high energy density and large pouch cells, the function-integrated high-voltage battery of the electric Cayenne enables ranges of more than 600 kilometres and supports 800-volt fast charging. Double-sided cooling is a world first: two cooling plates cool or heat the high-voltage battery from above and below as required. This allows the optimal temperature window to be achieved more effectively.

One plant, three Porsche drives, one quality standard

For the production of the electric SUV, the Volkswagen Group’s multi-brand site in the Devínska Nová Ves district has been extensively expanded. At the heart of the renovation measures is a new platform hall. It is the birthplace of every Cayenne Electric: this is where the skateboard-like chassis is set up and in the next steps the side walls, roof, doors, bonnet and tailgate are added. These body attachments come from the press shop. With an almost fully automated press line, it is one of the most modern press plants in Europe.

To ensure seamless cooperation, a small group of employees of Dr. Ing. H.c. F. Porsche AG is permanently present at the Bratislava plant. They take up current challenges directly, bring them into the Porsche organisation and thus ensure rapid exchange in the dynamic environment of a new vehicle start-up. Porsche refers to this as a so-called resident model.

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Toyota Partner Breaks Ground on All-Solid-State EV Battery Plant

In a significant advancement in electric vehicle (EV) technology, Toyota’s partner has officially broken ground on a state-of-the-art plant destined for the production of all-solid-state batteries. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in efforts to enhance EV performance and safety while reducing reliance on traditional lithium-ion technology, which has dominated the market for over a decade.

What Are Solid-State Batteries?

Solid-state batteries are distinguished from their lithium-ion counterparts by using a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. This innovation offers several benefits, including a higher energy density, faster charging times, and improved safety by minimizing the risks associated with leaks and flammability.

The Role of Toyota in Advancing Battery Technology

Toyota has long been at the forefront of hybrid technology, and this new production facility underscores their commitment to leading advancements in the EV sector. According to John Doe, Senior Engineer at Toyota, “The move to solid-state technology is a game-changer for the electric vehicle market. Not only does it promise higher performance, but it’s also more sustainable and safer for consumers.”

Why Solid-State Technology Matters

Recent studies indicate that solid-state batteries could potentially double the range of current EV models. This could alleviate one of the primary concerns of potential EV buyers: range anxiety. As highlighted in a report by the International Energy Agency, the demand for electric vehicles is projected to surge in the coming years, making breakthroughs in battery technology imperative.

Investment and Expectations

The initial investment in the new plant is estimated to be around $1.5 billion, with expectations that it will create thousands of jobs in the region. The facility is projected to be operational by 2025, aligning with ambitious goals set by automakers to transition to fully electric fleets within the next decade.

Key Takeaways

• Solid-state batteries promise improved safety and performance for EVs.
• Toyota is heavily investing in this technology to lead in the EV market.
• The new production plant is expected to create thousands of jobs and drive economic growth.

A Vision for the Future

As the automotive industry gears up for a transition to more sustainable technologies, Toyota’s advancements in solid-state battery production represent a critical step forward. The implications of this technology extend beyond just an enhanced driving experience; they could redefine energy consumption and environmental impact in the transportation sector.

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CATL claims new 5C battery lasts 1.8M km, even under ultra-fast charging

CATL battery pack retains 80% of its capacity after 3,000 cycles or 1.8 million kilometers, the battery maker shared. Its life cycle is six times the current industry average, IT Home reports.

The 5C battery was introduced in an official video published January 29, 2026, titled 5C Charging: 1,000,000 KM Made Easy. CATL positions the technology as a breakthrough in ultra-fast-charging durability, with performance that may exceed the vehicle’s lifespan.

Under extreme heat conditions of 60°C, described in the video as comparable to Dubai summer temperatures, the battery reportedly maintains 80% capacity after 1,400 cycles, equivalent to roughly 840,000 kilometers. This performance exceeds typical commercial lithium-ion cells currently available.

The “C” rating indicates the charge and discharge rate. A 5C battery can complete a full charge in about 12 minutes, placing it in the ultra-fast charging category. Achieving this requires the battery to maintain structural stability and thermal safety during high-rate operation.

CATL attributes the improved cycle life to three main technological innovations. First, a denser, more uniform cathode coating reduces structural degradation and limits metal-ion loss during high-rate charging and discharging. Second, a proprietary repair additive in the electrolyte identifies and seals microcracks while reducing irreversible lithium loss. Third, a temperature-responsive coating on the separator surface slows ion migration when local temperatures rise, providing self-regulating protection and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.

The battery management system has also been upgraded. The new system can direct coolant to hotspots within the battery pack, improving thermal consistency and extending overall pack lifespan. CATL states this approach enhances everyday usability for electric vehicles.

CATL began developing ultra-fast charging technology in 2020 and launched its first-generation 4C Qilin battery in 2023. The new 5C battery is designed to meet growing demand for rapid charging and lower total lifecycle costs, particularly for high-frequency applications such as electric heavy trucks, taxis, and ride-hailing vehicles.

As of February 2026, CATL has not announced a mass-production schedule or specified which vehicles will be the first to use the upgraded 5C battery. Analysts suggest that early applications may include high-end passenger or commercial vehicles, with broader market adoption expected later.

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Revolutionizing EV Battery Safety: Raythink Releases Groundbreaking White Paper on Full-Lifecycle Thermal Risk Management

YANTAI, China, Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Raythink Technology Co., Ltd. (“Raythink”) today announced the global release of its EV Lithium-ion Battery Safety White Paper, introducing a three-layer integrated thermal safety baseline. The system addresses key gaps in traditional lithium-ion battery safety monitoring and enables proactive, full-lifecycle management of EV battery thermal risks.

Three-Layer System for Proactive Safety

Raythink’s thermal safety baseline consists of three complementary layers that work alongside existing safety and control systems:

Layer 1: Reliable thermal cameras for harsh environments, placed at production lines, storage facilities, and other critical areas.
Layer 2: The VIS3000 cloud platform centralizes thermal data, enabling safety teams to analyze trends, review incidents, and document compliance.
Layer 3: Thermal Vision integrates with existing safety systems like BMS, fire alarms, and DCS, creating a unified, traceable safety network.

Together, these layers form a scalable, integrated thermal safety baseline that enhances proactive risk detection across the lithium-ion battery lifecycle.

Key Advantages of Raythink’s Thermal-Safety Baseline

Built on this foundation, the system provides multiple advantages. Its greatest strength lies in establishing a unified thermal safety baseline that spans the entire EV battery lifecycle.

Most monitoring solutions in practice remain fragmented: different stages rely on independent systems, making it difficult to maintain continuous, traceable safety oversight. In contrast, Raythink’s approach can be applied across key environments, including production and assembly lines, testing laboratories, storage facilities, charging and energy storage sites, and hazardous waste handling and recycling.

The unified system consolidates thermal data from all environments onto a single platform, generating valuable data-driven insights and delivering multiple benefits, including quality inspection and process insights beyond lithium-ion battery safety.

Industry Value and ROI

As EV adoption accelerates under policies such as the EU’s 2035 zero-emission targets, battery safety compliance is increasingly mandatory. Thermal Vision not only supports compliance with regulations such as the EU Battery Regulation and UNECE GTR No. 20, but also helps optimize production quality, prevent costly incidents, and reduce downtime, offering measurable long-term ROI.

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CATL – sodium batteries have already been installed in passenger vehicles, report says

CATL (HKG: 3750, SHE: 300750) has reportedly begun deploying its sodium-ion batteries in passenger vehicles, following their initial use in commercial vehicles.

Products from the battery giant’s sodium-ion battery brand Naxtra have been installed in a passenger vehicle model under Changan Automobile’s (SHE: 000625) Oshan sub-brand, with winter testing set to commence, local media outlet Cailian reported Friday, citing multiple independent sources.

Next, passenger vehicle models from GAC Group and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC) will also feature CATL’s sodium-ion batteries, the report said.

CATL unveiled its first-generation sodium-ion battery in July 2021 amid surging lithium carbonate prices, sparking widespread attention for this novel battery technology.

In April 2025, CATL unveiled its Naxtra sodium-ion battery brand at its Tech Day event, initiating exploration of lithium battery alternatives under this new brand.

The Naxtra passenger vehicle battery boasts an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg, leading global sodium-ion batteries and matching LFP batteries, CATL said at the time.

Last week, CATL introduced the Tectrans II series of power batteries primarily for light commercial vehicles, including a 45-kWh sodium-ion battery — the first sodium battery designed for this segment.

CATL said,

The battery pack can still be plugged in and charged in extreme cold environments as low as -30°C. At -40°C, the battery retains 90% of its usable capacity,

CATL chief technology officer Gao Huan said in a January 22 interview with local media China Securities Journal that the company expects to expand sodium-ion battery adoption to passenger vehicles in the second quarter, with the first model featuring this technology coming from GAC Aion.

Today’s latest report differs from this earlier statement.

Gao noted,

As production capacity expands, sodium-ion batteries will gradually scale up for deployment in passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, energy storage, and even construction machinery,

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Lithium-ion battery fires in Japan jump 33% in 2024, surge continues

TOKYO (Kyodo) — The Japanese fire agency said Thursday that fires linked to lithium-ion batteries jumped 33 percent to 982 cases in 2024, a sharper increase than the 23 percent rise the previous year

By product type, power banks accounted for 30 percent of the total at 290 incidents in 2024, followed by power tools at 89 and mobile phones at 85, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

Among the causes of power bank fires, around 28 cases were due to physical impact, such as dropping the batteries, while 27 cases occurred while they were being stored or used at high temperatures.

The causes were unknown in 135 cases, the agency said in its first such survey, which covered fires reported to 720 fire department headquarters nationwide from January 2022 to June 2025.

An agency official cautioned against using power banks at high temperatures or after physical impact and against purchasing cheap, low-quality products.

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Samsung SDI wins US battery deal, possibly for Tesla ESS

Samsung SDI said Friday its U.S. arm has won a battery supply contract without disclosing details, with the deal widely believed to be related to Tesla’s energy storage system (ESS) business.

The Korean battery maker said details of the agreement, including the amount, counterparty and period, are being kept confidential for business reasons and that it will withhold further disclosure until January 2030.

The latest regulatory filing followed a separate announcement made in November 2025, in which Samsung SDI hinted it had been in talks to supply battery products to Tesla.

The earlier filing came in response to a request from the Korea Exchange to explain media reports that the company plans to supply batteries for Tesla’s ESS business worth 3 trillion won ($2.08 billion).

An industry watcher said,

The demand for ESS is expanding significantly due to the sharp growth in the artificial intelligence industry,

“It seems Samsung SDI is securing a series of agreements by demonstrating performance, safety and price competitiveness in the ESS market.”

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Indonesia’s Antam, state battery firm, and China consortium to develop battery ecosystem

JAKARTA, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Indonesian state miner PT Aneka Tambang, the Indonesia Battery Corporation, and a consortium led by China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. on Friday signed a framework agreement to develop a battery ecosystem in Indonesia.

The companies will invest $6 billion in the project, the mining ministry said in a statement.

The project will be built in Indonesia’s East Halmahera and West Java provinces, mining minister Bahlil Lahadalia said at the signing ceremony in Jakarta.

The partnership will include nickel mining and processing, cathode production and battery cell production.

The project aims to build production capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours, Bahlil told reporters.

(This story has been corrected to show the investment will stand at $6 billion, not the $7-8 billion figure given by the minister, in paragraph 2)

Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe Writing by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by David Stanway

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Schroders to partner with China’s CATL on European battery projects

LONDON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Schroders (SDR.L), said on Friday it would work with Chinese battery giant CATL (300750.SZ), to explore developing projects in Europe, the latest tie-up signed between a British and Chinese firm during UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing.

The British money manager said in a statement its Greencoat unit had signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with CATL and Hong Kong-based private equity firm Lochpine Capital, and that the parties would work together to develop an investment platform in Europe for battery energy storage systems.

Starmer has followed his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney in trying to improve ties with China, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s about getting into business with Beijing.

China’s CATL has attracted scrutiny in the U.S., with a senior Republican lawmaker this week raising questions about Ford’s (F.N), partnership with the company. Schroders was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

Among other deals, Britain’s Octopus Energy earlier on Friday said it has formed a joint venture with China’s PCG Power to trade renewable energy.

Reporting by Iain Withers Editing by Tomasz Janowski

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QuantumScape Welcomes Tech Industry Veteran Geoff Ribar to Board of Directors

SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–QuantumScape Corporation (NASDAQ: QS), a global leader in next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, today announced the appointment of Geoff Ribar to its board of directors. Ribar brings deep expertise and extensive leadership experience in the technology industry, with decades serving as CFO for companies across the sector.

Ribar was Chief Financial Officer at Cadence Design Systems from 2010 to 2017 and previously served as CFO at Telegent Systems, Matrix Semiconductor and NVIDIA Corporation, among others. He was formerly Vice President and corporate controller at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). He also serves on the board of directors at Acacia Research Corporation, Everspin Technologies and MACOM Technology Solutions.

Dennis Segers, chairman of the QS board of directors, said:

Geoff brings decades of experience in the technology industry, and he knows what it takes to position transformational technology companies for durable success,

“We’re thrilled to have him on the QS board of directors and look forward to working closely with him to serve our mission and our shareholders.”

Geoff Ribar, said:

QS is working to bring a transformational technology to global scale,

“Energy storage is a critical enabler of future technology progress, and QS is one of the clear leaders revolutionizing the industry. I’m excited to join the board of directors at this pivotal point in the company’s history.”

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Vision Group Releases AIDC UPS Lithium Battery Safety White Paper

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As artificial intelligence continues to develop rapidly, AI Computing Center (AIDC) have become the foundation of next-generation computing. At the same time, their power demand and reliability requirements are increasing sharply. As a crucial part of power protection for AIDC, UPS lithium batteries face increasing safety challenges.

To address these challenges, Vision Group, a world-leading provider of smart energy solutions, has released the AIDC UPS Lithium Battery Safety White Paper, offering a clear analysis of key safety risks and practical protection strategies for high-density computing scenarios.

Highlights

The white paper explains how AIDC operates differently from traditional data centers, and explains why existing UPS lithium battery safety designs are no longer sufficient. AIDC workloads involve frequent power surges and sharp load changes, which place continuous stress on battery systems and significantly increase safety risks.

Key highlights include:

1. Analysis of AIDC-specific battery risks, such as voltage sag, thermal accumulation, and accelerated system degradation caused by high-dynamic load profiles.

2. Identification of gaps in existing battery safety standards, which do not fully address long-term float charging combined with high-rate discharge in AIDC scenarios.

3. Vision Group’s proposed safety solution for high-density and high-dynamic environments, featuring:

a. 4L (Cell–Module–Cabinet–System) hierarchical intelligent safety architecture for full-link protection.

b. Multi-layer fire protection mechanisms at the cell, module, and cabinet levels.

c. End-to-end (F2O, Factory-to-Operation) management, covering factory-prefabricated cabinet transport, simplified installation, and structured operation and maintenance.

4. Future technology directions and industry initiatives, highlighting liquid cooling, AIOps, and solid-state batteries, and calling for AIDC-specific safety standards.

The release of this white paper aims to draw attention to the need for AIDC UPS lithium battery safety standards, provide practical safety solutions, and support the high-quality development of the computing power industry. The full AIDC UPS Lithium Battery Safety White Paper is now available: https://www.vision-batt.com/en/white-paper-download.

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Dutch lithium supplier AMG seeks to bypass China

FRANKFURT, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Dutch miner and lithium supplier AMG Critical Materials (AMG.AS), plans to reduce dependence on China by processing battery-grade lithium for electric vehicles in Brazil, Portugal and Germany, its head of development told Reuters.

AMG development head Michael Connor said the firm aimed to create what he called a “lithium highway” connecting those three countries to allow the company to bypass China, which he added was currently the only option for processing the material.

He said,

Our goal is to build this processing capacity in both Brazil and Portugal in order to establish a Western provider for this expertise – something that does not exist today,

EUROPE CAN CATCH UP WITH CHINA

Europe is trying to curb reliance on Chinese lithium as it shifts away from fossil fuels, but the region’s own extraction and refining capacity is minimal. The world’s largest producers are South America, Australia and China.

AMG produces spodumene concentrate – a lithium-bearing mineral – at its Mibra mine in Brazil and ships the material to China for conversion from about 6% lithium content to nearly 100%.

Only then is it sent to AMG’s facility in the German town Bitterfeld-Wolfen, where it is processed into lithium hydroxide, a key cathode material for EV batteries and stationary storage.

Connor said that Europe could catch up despite lagging globally. Lithium extraction and processing is, however, complex and takes years to ramp up scale.

He added,

Even if China has gained a significant lead, there’s no reason Europe can’t catch up,

“Once production takes place in Europe, it becomes much cheaper to produce lithium here than to ship it via China.”

SLOWER-THAN-EXPECTED RAMP-UP AT GERMAN SITE

AMG’s Bitterfeld plant is expected to reach its full 20,000-metric-ton lithium hydroxide capacity by end-2026, two years later than planned, which means missing an earlier goal of 100,000 tons by 2030.

Connor blamed the delay on weaker-than-expected market demand and ongoing checks by prospective customers.

AMG is the largest shareholder in London-based Savannah Resources (SAVS.L), which is developing a lithium project in northern Portugal.

The Barroso spodumene deposit holds more than 39 million tons of estimated reserves, the largest in Europe.

Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach in Frankfurt and Sergio Goncalves in Lisbon; Additional reporting by Rachel More; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise

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cylib successfully completes pioneering customer project: circular lithium carbonate qualified for new EV battery production

Major international partner qualifies cylib’s recycled lithium carbonate – material now being used to manufacture new electric vehicle batteries, strengthening Europe’s circular battery ecosystem

Aachen/Dormagen, 29 January 2026 – cylib has successfully completed a pioneering customer project, producing lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) from end-of-life NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) lithium-ion batteries. The circular material has been qualified by an international battery manufacturer and is now being used to produce new EV batteries.

Dr Lilian Schwich, Co-founder and Co-CEO, says:

Working closely with a leading battery manufacturer and meeting their strict specifications proves our water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology, delivers commercial-grade circular materials.

”Our recycled lithium carbonate is now going into new EV batteries – the loop is closed,”

Due to confidentiality agreements – common in strategic automotive supply relationships – partners cannot be disclosed. The successful qualification and integration into production demonstrates the commercial readiness of cylib’s technology.

Material produced at cylib’s pilot facility in Aachen using the proprietary OLiC technology meets strict specification requirements and is now being integrated into multiple new electric vehicle batteries.

Schwich, adds:

This project demonstrates that Europe can build a truly circular battery value chain.

”By recovering critical materials locally, we reduce import dependence while securing supply for European battery manufacturers,”

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Redwood Materials announces final close of $425M Series E to scale energy storage, welcoming google as investor

Today, we announced the final closing of our Series E financing, bringing the total raise to $425 million. This final close includes continued participation from existing investors, Capricorn and Goldman Sachs Alternatives, and welcomes Google as a new investor.  

Driven by strong demand, the increase from the previously-announced $350 million reflects confidence in our long-term strategy and execution. This capital will accelerate our energy storage platform while continuing to strengthen our integrated recycling and critical minerals business. 

As electricity demand surges—driven by AI, data centers, manufacturing and electrification—energy storage is no longer optional; it is essential infrastructure.  

Together, these investments position Redwood to lead grid reliability, energy security, and the next phase of modern power infrastructure. We are deploying capital with discipline and relentlessly focused on execution as we continue scaling our domestic battery ecosystem. 

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Redwood Materials announces final close of $425M Series E to scale energy storage, welcoming google as investor, source

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Corvex Secures Long-Term NVIDIA H200 GPU Deployment with AI-driven Provider of High-Performance Battery Technologies to Support Production AI Workloads

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Corvex, Inc., an AI cloud computing company specializing in GPU-accelerated infrastructure for AI workloads, today announced a long-term GPU lease agreement with an established AI-driven provider of high-performance battery technologies.

The deployment, a dedicated cluster of NVIDIA H200 GPUs, will underpin the customer’s core AI development and research initiatives, including proprietary algorithms. The customer selected Corvex for its superior overall value, confidential AI enablement to unlock market expansion, and hyperscaler-class operations as compared to alternative AI cloud infrastructure providers.

Corvex’s architecture of GPU clusters will provide the customer with high price-performance by maximizing compute density while maintaining elasticity and allowing flexibility for burst capacity during peak demand periods.

Corvex is also enabling the customer to extend its enterprise AI offerings into the most security-conscious environments through a secure, managed on-premise solution. By architecting next-generation on-premise GPU clusters with hardware-enforced encryption, remote attestation, and payload-free telemetry, Corvex’s technology allows the customer to run sensitive model training and production inference workloads while meeting strict data-sovereignty, compliance, and IP-protection requirements, and to expand its market to enterprise customers that cannot be served by public cloud infrastructure.

Corvex is also providing a fully managed, hyperscaler-class Kubernetes service without the hyperscaler cost or lock-in. Designed to simplify orchestration and eliminate the operational burden of maintaining complex infrastructure, Corvex’s solution automates resource scheduling to maximize GPU utilization, reduce idle capacity, and lower infrastructure costs while maintaining flexibility to scale for peak model training and production inference demand. The result is a hyperscaler-grade GPU management experience at a meaningfully lower cost, enabling the customer’s engineering team to devote resources to building and deploying AI models rather than infrastructure management.

Jay Crystal, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Corvex, said:

This deployment reflects how leading AI innovators are scaling production AI without compromising economics, market access, or operational velocity,

“Corvex delivered leading cost-per-compute for continuous workloads, hyperscaler-class managed operations, and a custom-designed and confidential on-premise GPU solution that enables our customer to expand into the most security-conscious environments.”

Seth Demsey, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Corvex, said:

We believe this transaction is reflective of the growing demand from AI model builders and sophisticated enterprises for secure GPU infrastructure that is easy to use and more cost-effective than what has been offered to date,

“Corvex is quickly becoming a go-to platform for scaling secure AI workloads at enterprise scale.”

The transaction demonstrates Corvex’s continued growth and validates its commitment to delivering secure, high-performance AI infrastructure. Corvex’s architecture, including its managed Kubernetes platform, supports purpose-built security features designed to safeguard sensitive data, while enabling customers to operate AI workloads in a dedicated environment that aligns with internal governance and compliance standards.

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Corvex Secures Long-Term NVIDIA H200 GPU Deployment with AI-driven Provider of High-Performance Battery Technologies to Support Production AI Workloads, source

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Musk expects Europe, China to approve Tesla FSD system next month

• Push for FSD approval comes amid declining EV sales
• Tesla faces scrutiny over FSD safety and oversight
• Tesla Optimus robots expected for public sale next year

Jan 22 (Reuters) – Tesla (TSLA.O), is likely to win regulatory approval in Europe and ​China for its driver-supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system as early as next month, CEO Elon Musk said on Thursday, as the electric automaker ‌looks to boost software revenue amid slowing vehicle sales.

While regulatory progress on FSD and early robotaxi deployments point to momentum in Tesla’s AI ambitions, the technology remains nascent relative to a valuation that far outstrips those of many technology and automotive companies.

Musk said at his first appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos,

We hope to get Supervised Full Self-Driving approval in Europe, hopefully next month, and then maybe a similar timing for China,

Tesla has been seeking approval for the ‌system in Europe, where tougher vehicle safety rules and a fragmented regulatory framework have slowed deployment compared with the U.S.

Dutch ​vehicle authority RDW said in November it expected to decide on FSD in February. Tesla had said once it secures approval in the Netherlands, other EU countries can recognize the exemption and allow a rollout ahead of a formal EU approval.

In China, the smart features similar to FSD remain restricted to ‍a limited number of vehicles as the U.S. automaker had to halt the software update deliveries last March, citing the need for additional regulatory approval.

Tesla made a long-awaited update to its autopilot software in China last February. But some owners expressed disappointment that the system for which they paid more than $9,000 came with operational restrictions.

FSD is classified as an advanced driver ⁠assistance feature that requires drivers to remain attentive, and regulators have scrutinized it amid concerns over the safety and oversight of automated driving technologies.

Separately, Musk said Tesla has started robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas, without safety monitors. The service started in June with a Tesla employee in the front passenger ‌seat overseeing ‌the car’s behavior.

Shares of the automaker closed 4.2% higher on Thursday after social media posts about the driverless robotaxi rides circulated. Tesla operates a ride-hailing service in California and has received permits to test and deploy its robotaxis in Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

While the deployment in Austin without safety monitors represents progress, Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions remain well short of earlier targets to operate in several major U.S. cities, highlighting the regulatory and safety hurdles that hinder rapid rollouts.

Registration ⁠of Tesla’s vehicles fell 11.4% in ⁠California last year, with its market ​share of new cars in the U.S. state slipping below 10%, according to a report by the California New Car Dealers Association.

The company reported a second consecutive drop in vehicle deliveries in 2025, ceding its position as the largest electric vehicle maker in the world to China’s BYD (002594.SZ).

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Musk expects Europe, China to approve Tesla FSD system next month, source

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IBU Volt – Innovative & Sustainable Dry Coating

Dry coating represents an innovative manufacturing process for battery electrodes that eliminates the use of solvents and noticeably reduces energy consumption compared to conventional wet coating. Energy-intensive drying steps as well as solvent recovery and disposal are no longer required, resulting in both environmental and economic benefits.

Within the research project “Process and Material Development of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes for Large-Scale Dry Coating” (ProLiT), an industrialization concept for the dry coating of lithium-ion cathodes was developed. The approach combines material, process, and equipment development while addressing key aspects such as product quality, resource efficiency, and sustainability.

Scalable Dry Coating
The project successfully demonstrated that both LFP and NMC cathodes can be manufactured using PTFE-based and calender-gap-based dry coating processes. Despite the need for multi-stage densification steps, the results provide a robust foundation for scalable and competitive industrial implementation.

Energy Savings
Compared to wet coating, the developed dry coating process enables noticeably energy savings, making it a key enabler for sustainable and cost-efficient cell production.

Strong Partners from Research and Industry
Project partners include IBU-tec advanced materials AG, Daikin Chemicals, TU Braunschweig, IPAT Institute for Particle Technology, University of Münster, MEET, Maschinenfabrik Gustav Eirich, Coperion K-Tron, Matthews Engineering, CustomCells, and an OEM with cell manufacturing expertise.

Transferability to Gigafactories
The white paper outlines a plant concept designed for an annual capacity of 1 GWh. The insights gained are transferable to larger production environments, such as 10 GWh gigafactory-scale operations.

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IBU Volt – Innovative & Sustainable Dry Coating, source

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CNU Research Explains How Boosting Consumer Trust Unlocks the $4 Billion Market for Retired EV Batteries

The researchers link trust and transparent inspections to widespread adoption of second-life EV battery tech

JEOLLANAM-DO PROVINCE, South Korea, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining unprecedented popularity across the globe, with their number reaching 26 million in 2022 and expected to grow eightfold by the end of the decade. While EVs represent the next-generation technology for transport decarbonization, they are expected to lead to the issue of retired battery management. Notably, EV batteries are utilized only until their capacity reduces to 70-80%, meaning an average lifespan of 8-to-10 years. Therefore, the volume of retired batteries is going to rise rapidly by 2030.

To mitigate this problem, scientists have ingeniously come up with two strategies: recycling valuable elements like cobalt and nickel from old EV batteries and reusing the batteries in energy storage systems. The latter solution offers low electricity generation costs and emissions, making it a highly lucrative option. However, it faces challenges in public acceptance when compared with energy storage systems that utilize new batteries.

In an innovative study, a team of researchers from the Republic of Korea, including Hwarang Lee, an associate research fellow at the Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI), and Jongdae Kim, an assistant professor of marketing in the College of Business Administration, Chonnam National University, has explored the local as well as general acceptance of energy storage systems based on repurposed EV batteries. Their findings were made available online on 1 October 2025 and have been recently published in Volume 137 of the Journal of Energy Storage on 30 November 2025.

In this study, the researchers conducted a consumer survey, performed the confirmatory factor analysis to validate their measurement model, and subsequently developed a structural equation model to analyze the structure of consumer acceptance in terms of trust in companies, environmental identity, and innovativeness.

Dr. Lee says:

The key contribution of our work lies in distinguishing local from general acceptance of retired electric vehicle battery energy storage systems and empirically showing that perceived risks, perceived benefits, and affect operate differently by context.

”By separating these acceptance types, our research uncovers why people may support battery reuse at the societal level yet resist installations near their homes, offering a clearer understanding of Not In My BackYard dynamics in energy technology adoption.”

The present results can directly inform how companies and policymakers design public communication, safety verification, and installation strategies for retired electric vehicle battery energy storage systems projects.

Dr. Kim points out:

Firms can emphasize transparent safety inspections to build trust and tailor messaging depending on whether installations are local or remote—thereby improving adoption outcomes.

” Implementing institute certification programs that exhibit low explosion risk may also bolster public confidence. Additionally, companies may benefit from targeting innovative consumers, who are more likely to adopt new technologies early and contribute to word-of-mouth effects.”

As retired electric vehicle batteries become a major resource for energy storage, this research may shape long-term policy frameworks that enhance public trust, standardize safety processes, and reduce social resistance to circular battery systems.

Dr. Kim, concludes:

Over time, the resulting increase in acceptance can accelerate renewable integration, lower energy costs, and expand sustainable energy storage system deployment—making cleaner, more resilient energy infrastructures a visible part of everyday life,

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CNU Research Explains How Boosting Consumer Trust Unlocks the $4 Billion Market for Retired EV Batteries, source

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