Talga Group Ltd (ASX:TLG) has disclosed that its Talnode®-C natural graphite anode has demonstrated performance exceeding 8,000 cycles to 75% capacity retention in an ultra-long-life lithium-ion battery developed by KRI, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., representing approximately five times the cycle life of a conventional lithium-ion cell.

Key Points

  • Talnode®-C achieved over 8,000 cycles to 75% capacity retention in KRI's ultra-long-life Li-ion cell, compared with approximately 1,600 cycles for a conventional cell
  • KRI has built pilot cells in stacked laminate (10–11 Ah) and 21700 cylindrical (3.0–3.4 Ah) formats with approximately 520 Wh/L energy density, now available for customer evaluation
  • KRI is targeting scale-up to mass production in 2030, subject to customer evaluation outcomes
  • KRI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas, with 30 years of battery research and development

KRI Ultra-Long-Life Battery Technology and Test Results

KRI identified non-uniform electrode reactions as a major cause of lithium-ion battery degradation. The company's solution optimises cell components including electrodes, active materials, electrolyte and separator to promote lithium-ion transport and reaction uniformity. KRI reported that non-uniform reaction is reduced by approximately 50% compared with a conventional cell and that the critical load point is significantly raised. Rate testing conducted to date includes 25°C, 0.5C charge and 3C to 7.25C discharge at 0–100% state of charge. The technology is designed to be compatible with existing cell-making lines using readily available, scalable materials with a low environmental impact.

Role of Talnode®-C in KRI Cell Design

Talnode®-C is described in the filing as a coated spherical purified natural graphite produced by Talga from its Swedish graphite resources using renewable energy and wholly owned process technology. According to the filing, in KRI's evaluation, the smaller, highly crystalline and homogeneous natural graphite particles of Talnode®-C, when used in an optimised electrode, showed low reactivity and high stability throughout the anode, contributing to the extended cycle life result. KRI stated it evaluates battery materials from a range of suppliers on a neutral basis and that Talnode®-C showed excellent performance in its cell design.

Commercialisation Timetable and Customer Evaluation Program

KRI is currently supplying sample cells to evaluation users, which the filing states includes automotive manufacturers and energy supplier companies. KRI's sample program is supported by the cell-making capability of KRI and its group companies, SEI Corporation and ENAX, Inc. Talga said it will support KRI and its evaluation users through the sample and pilot phases. The company noted the timetable is subject to the outcome of customer evaluation and stated there is no assurance that the collaboration will result in commercial supply of Talnode®-C. Mass production scale-up is targeted for 2030.