OXIS Energy announced that, together with the Minas Gerais Development Company CODEMGE, it intends to build the world’s first lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery cell manufacturing plant in Brazil.
The partners recently have leased a manufacturing facility from Mercedes Benz Brazil (MBB) in Juiz de Fora in southeast Brazil with a goal to start production by 2023 through an investment of $50 million.
"OXIS Energy and the Minas Gerais Development Company CODEMGE have signed a 15 year lease agreement with Mercedes Benz Brazil (MBB) to take possession of a plant located at the MBB manufacturing site in Juiz de Fora, in the state of Minas Gerais, in south east Brazil.
NORDIKA Pharmaceutical of Brazil will undertake the design and engineering associated with the plant and machinery layout. Upgrading the site will begin immediately and will involve an investment in excess of US $50m. The target is to have the fully digitalised plant commissioned and operating by 2023."
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The plan is to be able to produce 5 million Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) cells per year (with an option to double the output), which probably is no more than a few hundred MWh annually.
OXIS Energy's Li-S cells are very energy-dense in terms of gravimetric density - 400 Wh/kg and more, although this type of battery also has its own weak points and never were used in a high scale.
The target applications are: Aviation, Defence, Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Light Commercial Vehicles and large Marine Vessels.
"Phase 1 will be to lease circa 20,000 sq meters to enable the production of 5 million Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cells per annum with the option to extend and double the estate and cell capacity."
The Li-S cathodes and electrolytes will be supplied from the UK where at a new facility at Kenfig Hill near Port Talbot in South Wales the company plans to start production in 2021 (initially for 500,000 cells per year).
OXIS Energy and CODEMGE sign lease agreement with Mercedes Benz Brazil to build world’s first Li-S manufacturing plant
OXIS Energy and the Minas Gerais Development Company CODEMGE have signed a 15 year lease agreement with Mercedes Benz Brazil (MBB) to take possession of a plant located at the MBB manufacturing site in Juiz de Fora, in the state of Minas Gerais, in south east Brazil.
NORDIKA Pharmaceutical of Brazil will undertake the design and engineering associated with the plant and machinery layout. Upgrading the site will begin immediately and will involve an investment in excess of US $50m. The target is to have the fully digitalised plant commissioned and operating by 2023.
Phase 1 will be to lease circa 20,000 sq meters to enable the production of 5 million Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cells per annum with the option to extend and double the estate and cell capacity.
This will create hundreds of mainly high-skilled jobs over the next ten years with OXIS having access to the expertise and innovation of students at the reputable universities of Juiz de Fora. Reflecting its collaborative success with universities in the UK and Europe, OXIS is actively seeking collaborations with Brazilian universities.
Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO OXIS Energy said, ” Within five years, this factory will be a centre of excellence producing world class Lithium Sulfur cells and battery systems. Exporting worldwide to a range of markets: Aviation, Defence, Heavy Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Light Commercial Vehicles and large Marine Vessels, our aim is to aid the Brazilian Government to eliminate all ICE ( internal combustion engine) buses over a period of 25 years, equating to the production of over 4bn cells. Brazil has the third largest bus market in the world, with 700,000 ICE buses currently in circulation.”
OXIS and CODEMGE are already engaged with several Brazilian blue chip companies regarding utilising its Li-S cells for the electrification of regional aircraft, buses and trucks and are collaborating with Brazilian aircraft manufacturers to build electric aircraft in the country. CODEMGE is also supporting OXIS Energy in its work with numerous US, European and Japanese aircraft producers.
Lithium Sulfur Battery technology company OXIS Energy welcomes Scott Davis to manage cell production at its new manufacturing plant in Wales
An accomplished production manager, Scott Davis joined OXIS Energy from the Belgian company. PB Leiner. OXIS’ new facility at Kenfig Hill near Port Talbot will be online in 2021 and will produce enough cathode and electrolyte to support the production of 500,000 cells, with room to expand further.
A graduate of Swansea University and living in Neath, Scott Davis said, “I’m really proud and excited that a global leader in Lithium Sulfur batteries is investing in my local area. With access to multiple ports, a highly skilled workforce and supply chain and our partnerships with local universities, South Wales has so much to offer. The jobs that OXIS will create both directly and indirectly from this investment will be a big boost to the area.”
Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO OXIS Energy added, “Having acquired the land to build the factory, this is OXIS’ first senior appointment for the Welsh production plant. It will become a global export unit to supply the material composition that creates the chemical reaction in our advanced rechargeable Lithium Sulfur vehicle battery systems. We are targeting the worldwide bus and truck markets, and for every 1,000 diesel buses we replace, we remove 500 barrels of oil. In Brazil, which has the 3rd largest bus market in the world, replacing all its buses would eliminate just under one billion tonnes of co2 emissions. The factory in Wales will play a key role in achieving this, with the result of many more jobs created in Port Talbot.”
OXIS Energy Ltd is involved in the design, development and now the move towards commercial production of lithium sulfur cells for battery systems. OXIS manufactures and produces all aspects and components in the making of the Li-S cell and does not use any toxic or rare earth material – a significant factor in the production of large battery systems for buses and trucks. With over 43 patent families, OXIS has been granted 198 patents with 92 pending.