Earlier this year, we reported on the unveiling of advanced technology from NEO Battery Materials.
Shortly thereafter, the Toronto-based innovator secured eight acres of surplus lands near Windsor Airport in Ontario to establish Canada’s first advanced silicon anode manufacturing facility.
“We are proud to be establishing Canada’s first advanced silicon anode manufacturing facility, enabling us to address the increasing demand for high-performance and cost-effective battery technologies,” stated chief executive officer Spencer Huh in January.
This month, NEO announced a three-acre expansion site to scale up silicon battery material production and research operations.
The expansion site, located in South Korea, is a critical component in establishing NEO’s new Battery Innovation Platform, according to a statement from the Canadian cleantech, which will design and manufacture high-performance, customized battery solutions for drones, robotics, and AI-enabled electronics.
“By integrating end-to-end battery value chain capabilities, NEO aims to reduce reliance on outsourced manufacturing, shorten product development timelines, and enhance quality control over the materials, electrodes, and cells supplied to customers,” remarked Seok Joung Youn, who heads manufacturing operations for NEO.’
“This vertical integration effort will allow the Company to become a reliable, high-quality one-stop shop or a Battery Foundry in the Western and North American supply chain,” he stated.
In addition to securing expanded facilities, NEO Battery Materials also revealed a joint development agreement with an industrial robotics company based out of South Korea that specializes in autonomous mobile robotics.
As part of the deal, the South Korean robotics company has agreed to purchase $2.5M worth of NEO’s proprietary lithium-silicon battery cells, according to a statement from the firms, over a period of two years.
“This Purchase Order and JDA for robotics and autonomous systems reinforce NEO’s position as a capable battery solutions provider in diverse end markets,” posits Huh.
“By developing and manufacturing tailored batteries for AMR and humanoid robotics, NEO is actively creating opportunities to enter into growing sectors that cannot compromise on battery performance and a resilient supply chain,” the CEO commented.
“We aim to enable the Battery Innovation Platform promptly to start producing in our new facilities in South Korea,” Huh said.
Trading on the TSXV as NBM, NEO Battery Materials was established in 2006 as Pan Andean Minerals before rebranding in 2021.