May 02 2020 41 mins 16
Thanks to our sponsor Zelandez. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe via you favorite podcast provider. In part 2 of my discussion with Jose Hofer we cover several topics including: ongoing quality issues in the lithium world that are dealt with by sending material to re-processors. How does the need for another link in the supply chain impact qualification by cathode and battery makers? We move on to the current status of the (slower than anticipated) rise of NMC cathode and what the 2025 demand balance between carbonate and hydroxide is likely to be. We ponder how improved LFP implementation technologies developed by BYD and CATL will impact the use of this low cost cathode in mid market EVs. We consider the topic of ESG (environmental, social & government) issues and discuss VW's recent visit to the Atacama – was “industrial tourism” or something much more serious that the lithium industry needs to deal with? Next we ponder the question if DLE (direct lithium extraction) will ever become mainstream after more the 15 years of seeking commercialization. We reject the notion that Livent’s process at Hombre Muerto is DLE which some have posited of late in an attempt claim DLE is already commercial. We end with some rapid fire questions.
