Australian battery storage developer Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has signed a non-binding agreement to collaborate on energy saving and storage solutions with London-headquartered major Rio Tinto.

GMG said the deal involves trialling energy-saving products in Rio Tinto's operations, such as GMG's Graphene Aluminium-Ion ("G+Al") batteries.

Trials will be launched of GMG's energy saving products in both existing applications and new industrial applications. The agreement also covers the supply of aluminium materials, one of the key components in G+Al battery technology, by Rio Tinto to GMG as this could optimise and accelerate battery development.

Success in the trials could "see significant performance enhancements and support Rio Tinto's transition to low carbon operations", noted GMG.

Rio Tinto's Chief Scientist, Nigel Steward, commented, "Our companies share a vision of a low carbon future and we see great potential in the partnership. We aim to develop a truly green battery from our low carbon aluminium, which could transform the way we supply and store energy to anything from a leaf blower to a mining haul truck. It is a very exciting prospect and we are looking forward to bringing together the technical ingenuity of both Rio Tinto and GMG." 

GMG's Managing Director and CEO, Craig Nicol, commented: "We are excited to be collaborating with Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest mining companies who are committed to leveraging leading technologies for efficient and low carbon operations.

"Rio Tinto's supply of aluminium and development of material industrial battery applications also add to our battery development plans. Together, with the partnerships already established, this is another important step towards GMG's goal to become a major global supplier of energy saving products as well as G+AI Batteries as we continue to de-risk the commercial scale up of this technology."

Robert Bosch Australia and Graphene Manufacturing Group signed a non-binding letter of intent for Bosch in October 2021 to design and deliver a graphene and aluminium ion battery manufacturing plant for GMG, reported Australia's Mining Monthly at the time.

GMG is a Brisbane-based clean technology company that is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Exchange. It produces graphene and hydrogen by cracking methane, added AMM.