Nano One said it will demonstrate its 'One Pot' process at the ICTL, creating nickel-rich (low-cobalt) cathode from Chilean lithium carbonate.

"We have proposed to ICTL a demonstration of Nano One's patented One Pot process using lithium carbonate directly for the production of nickel-rich cathode materials," said Nano One chief executive Dan Blondal.

"Our innovation avoids the need for lithium hydroxide, the costs of the required conversion plants and the associated consumption of water and energy," he added.

The company has said its One Pot reaction can produce a fully-lithiated mixed-metal intermediate powder that is neither carbonate nor hydroxide, allowing it to form finished cathode powder when thermally processed in a furnace.

This contrasts with conventional methods that form mixed-metal intermediate powders that must then be milled and thermally processed.

Nano One was included in a joint bid with US research body Associated Universities to build, manage and operate the ICTL, which was successfully chosen by the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción de Chile (CORFO) Council.

The project incolves a new battery testing and manufacturing facility in the Antofagasta region.