First Phosphate has been successful in production commercial-grade lithium iron phosphate (“LFP”) 18650 format battery cells using North American-sourced critical minerals, advancing its mission to localize the LFP battery supply chain in North America.

The LFP cathode and anode materials for the First Phosphate 18650 LFP battery cells were produced using North American critical minerals from the following supply sources:

• Phosphate:  High-purity phosphoric acid produced from igneous phosphate concentrate extracted from the First Phosphate Bégin-Lamarche property in Quebec, Canada and processed in the pilot installations of Prayon Technologies of Belgium, Europe.
• Iron:  Iron powder produced using magnetite concentrate from the First Phosphate Bégin-Lamarche property in Quebec, Canada and processed by GKN Hoeganaes of Tennessee, USA.
• Lithium: Lithium carbonate produced by Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LCE) from its operations in Nevada, USA.
• Graphite: Natural graphite-based active anode material produced by Nouveau Monde Graphite (NYSE: NMG) from its operations in Quebec, Canada.

LFP 18650 battery cells are versatile lithium-ion batteries that are widely used in industries such as robotics, automation, military and defense, data centers, telecommunications, medical devices, consumer electronics and electric mobility.

LFP 18650 battery cells can be found in autonomous electronic devices such as robots, drones and UAVs, power chargers, laptops, power tools, electric bicycles and scooters, solar storage devices, home energy and power backup units, flashlights, digital cameras, night vision goggles, medical diagnostic equipment, data centers, AI infrastructure and telecommunications towers.

The LFP 18650 battery cells were assembled for First Phosphate by Ultion Technologies Inc (Las Vegas, Nevada), a private battery technology company specializing in LFP battery materials and cells with development and pack assembly operations for North American applications.