Nano One TSX:NANO has jointly conducted a cost comparison with strategic partner Worley Chemetics, confirming the economic advantages of Nano One’s patented One-Pot process for lithium iron phosphate (LFP). In addition, the preliminary design and full-scale layout of the modular “design-one-build-many” plant is complete and being marketed with the cost comparison study to prospective clients.
The comparative analysis showed that One-Pot could enable at least 30% lower costs in total invested capital and up to 30% lower operational costs, using up to 80% less energy than the incumbent method. One-Pot also eliminates sodium sulphate wastewater and could use up to 80% less process water and reduce GHG emissions by up to 50% depending on energy sources and jurisdiction.
Laura Leonard, Worley Group President of Technology Solutions, said, “As we continue marketing the One-Pot process, it’s compelling to see data demonstrating our competitive edge. We are working collaboratively with Nano One on initial sales efforts while developing a detailed LFP CAM technology package for potential licensees. Nothing is more validating than the interest we are seeing from our mature customer base.”
What are the benefits of the Nano One One-Pot process?
The benefits of One-Pot are mainly attribute to the elimination of the iron and phosphate precursor steps (pCAM) by integrating them with the lithium addition step (CAM), high efficiency thermal processing and the elimination of sodium sulphate wastewater. These factors reduce complexity, costs, footprint and energy consumption and are a credible benchmark for sustainable, scalable and highly competitive CAM production with facilities that should be easier to site, permit, construct and operate.
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The strategic alliance with Worley Chemetics has also completed a layout of the companies’ proposed modular plant with operability and maintainability in mind, and is accelerating engineering and qualification of vendor equipment to complete the LFP CAM technology package and support customer ambitions in this market.
Worley Chemetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Worley, who develop, design, fabricate and sell chemical processing technology packages globally, has had 60 years of proven success with this approach.
Nano One CEO Dan Blondal said, “The economic rationale and business case for licensing One-Pot enabled LFP CAM technology packages are rapidly coming together due in part to Worley’s industry-leading expertise and Nano One’s advanced work on LFP. The alliance is increasingly well positioned to provide a leading, cost-competitive and environmentally focused solution for the production of LFP.”
The analysis estimated and compared the cost of two 25,000 tonne per annum (tpa) North American CAM production facilities that convert iron, phosphate and lithium sources into LFP, one enabled with One-Pot technology from Nano One, and the other using incumbent high-volume production technology from China.
The operating and capital cost estimates of the incumbent technology were done to a Class 5 level in accordance with the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) and included the treatment of sodium sulphate wastewater in North America.
Comparisons were made with Nano One’s One-Pot process from a previously completed FEL-2 pre-feasibility study and an ongoing FEL-3 feasibility study. Nano One and Worley said they were confident with the cost estimates which are based on equipment quotes from various major vendors, installation factors, indirect costs, and best practices in engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM).
Nano One said that the specifics on the analysis are commercially sensitive and are being held in confidence so they may be leveraged effectively by the alliance in marketing and technology licensing discussions with potential customers.
Worley and Nano One’s agreement
Worley and Nano One entered into a strategic alliance agreement and a license Agreement in May 2024, and are jointly developing, marketing and licensing a process engineering design package (CAM Package) to produce LFP CAM. The CAM package incorporates Nano One’s patented One-Pot processing technology and reduces cost, energy intensity, GHG emissions, and permitting risk by reducing process complexity and eliminating sodium sulphate wastewater.
Nano One made a pivotal acquisition in Q4 2022 of North America’s only LFP production facility in Candiac, Québec and has integrated its highly experienced team. This led to transformative strategic partnerships with Rio Tinto, Sumitomo Metal Mining and Worley.
The Candiac facility is crucial for providing target end customers and licensees with samples for qualification and is serving as a launchpad for Nano One and Worley’s “design-one-build-many” licensing growth strategy. Capacity expansion at the plant is supported in part by a US$12.9M award from the US Department of Defense, while the design and construction of proprietary equipment is being supported in part by a C$2.8M award from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).
