Nano One, Standard Lithium Advance LFP Cathode Feedstock Testing

Nano One Materials Corp., a process technology company focused on lithium-ion battery cathode active materials, has successfully used battery-quality lithium carbonate supplied by Standard Lithium Ltd. to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material and battery test cells.

The lithium carbonate was sourced from Standard Lithium’s pilot plant at its South West Arkansas Project in Arkansas. Nano One processed the material through its patented One-Pot process at its Innovation Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia. The resulting LFP cathode material met the targeted chemical and physical specifications and achieved the desired particle morphology.

Initial electrochemical testing also delivered encouraging results. In-house battery coin cells produced with the material recorded approximately 155 mAh/g during the first discharge, indicating that the lithium carbonate can meet the performance requirements for LFP cathode production.

The testing forms part of Nano One’s broader strategy to qualify battery-grade raw materials from multiple suppliers and jurisdictions. The company follows a staged qualification process that moves from A-sample laboratory testing to B- and C-sample pilot-scale evaluations before advancing to D-sample testing at a commercial production facility.

Nano One is also pre-qualifying feedstocks to reduce supply-chain risks for potential technology licensees. By completing raw-material qualification in advance, the company said prospective customers could potentially accelerate their own A-to-C qualification programs by as much as one year, depending on individual requirements.

The latest collaboration builds on a relationship that began in July 2025, when Nano One joined the Arkansas Lithium Technology Accelerator as an inaugural participant. Standard Lithium supports the initiative alongside Arkansas-based lithium producers, academic organizations and government partners.

Nano One said expanding its qualified feedstock base could provide customers and licensees with greater flexibility in sourcing raw materials. The company believes this approach can help customers establish localized LFP cathode production while using lithium feedstocks that are readily available in their respective regions.

Meanwhile, Nano One is expanding production capacity at its Candiac facility to approximately 800 tonnes per year. As of July 2026, detailed engineering for the expansion was 85% complete. Commissioning of the expanded demonstration line is targeted for the first half of 2027.

Product Impact and Chemical Commodity Price Impact

The development is positive for the lithium-ion battery supply chain because it validates another source of battery-grade lithium carbonate for LFP cathode production. Greater feedstock qualification can improve supply flexibility and reduce dependence on individual lithium suppliers. For chemical commodities tracked by ChemAnalyst, lithium carbonate prices could face mild downward pressure over the medium to long term if additional qualified supply sources increase market competition and availability. However, the immediate price impact should remain limited because the project is still at the qualification and demonstration stage. LFP cathode materials may benefit from improved raw-material security, while lithium carbonate demand could strengthen as localized battery production expands.