NEO Battery Materials signs MoU on recycling silicon from solar cell
Vancouver-based developer of silicon anode materials NEO Battery Materials Ltd has announced the signing of a MOU with an Asia-based producer of high-purity silicon powder through recycling silicon by-product waste from solar photovoltaic cell and semiconductor manufacturing.
The company has added that due to strategic reasons and the sensitive nature of the information, negotiation, and technology, the name and location of the recycler will remain confidential until officially disclosed.
As per the agreement, the company aims to significantly enhance the price competitiveness of silicon anode materials for electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries by integrating the recycler's cost-reduced, recycled silicon input into NEO's proprietary silicon anode materials - NBMSiDE.
Compared to the current metal silicon input for NBMSiDE, the recycler's silicon waste recycling technology may enable NEO Battery Materials to realize a substantial price reduction in the silicon input by 30 percent and up to 40 percent, according to the company.
In the process of manufacturing polysilicon, silicon ingots, and wafers for solar cells and semiconductors, substantial amounts of by-product waste that contains silicon particles are produced. Thus far, this by-product waste has been disposed of due to the lack of secondary use through recycling.
Further, the recycler has developed its recycling technology and know-how for over 20 years to recover high-purity silicon from silicon by-product waste. This high-purity silicon can be used as input feedstock for silicon anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, claims NEO.
As opposed to traditional, carbon-intensive methods to manufacture silicon particles, the recycler offers a low-cost silicon recovery method that enables close-looped manufacturing of silicon anode materials, the company adds.
In early January, NEO expects to receive recycled high-purity silicon and conduct sample testing to assess for performance, viability, and collaboration.
Further silicon input price reductions will drastically enhance NBMSiDE price competitiveness compared to existing high-priced competitors. The company may also uniquely secure a long-term supply and stable price of silicon input through recycled silicon by-product waste from solar energy and semiconductor industries.
