The McGowan Government has welcomed the launch of the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre’s (FBICRC) Cathode Precursor Production pilot plant.
Located at Curtin University in Bentley, the Australian-first pilot plant will help design and build cathode precursor manufacturing facilities on a commercial and industrial scale.
Cathode precursors are a crucial element of the battery value chain and include nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite and lithium. Together with graphite, aluminium and copper, Western Australia produces all the elements needed for modern batteries.
The pilot plant will help educate and upskill the next generation of chemical and process engineers to support the growing battery and critical minerals industries.
The FBICRC’s report ‘Future Charge: Building Australia’s Battery Industries’ proposed that establishing an active materials manufacturing program could deliver $1 billion to the economy and support 4,800 jobs by 2030.
Through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia and Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the McGowan Government has contributed $6 million towards establishing the FBICRC.
The McGowan Government has also committed $13.2 million to facilitate global investment in precursor cathode manufacturing in WA.
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
“Launching the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre’s precursor production pilot plant is an exciting step forward for Western Australia’s burgeoning battery materials manufacturing industry.
“The McGowan Government is committed to growing and diversifying Western Australia’s mining industry.
“Western Australia isn’t just famous for having all the minerals you need to make a battery, we also have the capabilities to progress down the value chain and grow our battery manufacturing and downstream processing industries.”
