Calix BATMn reactor successfully commissioned

BATMn is designed to make a range of nano-active materials for batteries, where the need for precision control of the process conditions is critical for electrochemical performance.

Calix is pleased to announce it has completed construction and commissioning of its BATMn reactor, on time and within budget. The reactor is now fully operational and provides the essential capabilities needed for the development and commercialisation of new materials for advanced batteries. Built at a cost of $2.3m, with $0.8m funded through the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund, the reactor is an electrically powered version of the Calix Flash Calcining technology. BATMn is designed to make a range of nano-active materials for batteries, where the need for precision control of the process conditions is critical for electrochemical performance.

BATMn will be a key provider of next-generation electrode materials for the recently announced CRC-P for Advanced Hybrid Batteries which Calix leads in collaboration the Institute for Frontier Materials and BAT-TRI Hub at Deakin University and specialist chemicals manufacturer Boron Molecular Ltd Pty. BATMn is Calix’s first all-electric reactor, and the commissioning process has proven Calix’s proprietary technology can be run entirely by electricity. This has wide-reaching implications for the application of Calix’s technology in other industrial applications, such as lime and cement manufacture, paving the way to an entirely zero emissions process where the electricity for heating is sourced from renewables.

The commercialisation roadmap for advanced battery materials is now in play. Over the next three years, Calix will be using the BATMn reactor for the development of low-cost, safe, and easier to recycle electrode materials for lithium ion battery technology. Additionally, longer term research and development programs are underway focused on the development of high performance nano-active materials for next-generation, solid-state and post lithium electrochemical energy storage technologies through Calix’s involvement in the storEnergy and POLYSTORAGE consortiums, involving many of Australia, and Europe’s, leading universities, research institutes and industrial partners.