Japan unveils subsidy to incentivise battery production

: Battery materials, Metals
23/02/01

Japan will provide subsidies to businesses that take part in building domestic lithium-ion battery production facilities, either for use in electric vehicles (EVs) or storage systems.

These subsidies will start from late April, the trade and industry ministry's (Meti) battery industry office said in its strategy guidelines released in late January. The ministry is looking to allocate a total of ¥332bn ($2.6bn) for this purpose, aimed at ensuring a stable battery supply chain in the country.

A facility should be capable of producing more than 3 GWh/yr of EV batteries and more than 300 MWh/yr of storage batteries to qualify for the subsidies. Japan in December 2022 included storage batteries in its list of 11 items that are deemed essential for ensuring the country's economic growth, as they are necessary to expand the use of EVs and renewable electricity in line with the country's goal to achieve a net-zero society by 2050.

The subsidies will be disbursed through state-owned research agency Nedo after approval from Meti, which expects to deliver its first round of approvals around late April.

By Yusuke Maekawa

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24/11/21

Cop: EU, four countries commit to 1.5°C climate plans

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ArcelorMittal could close two service centres in France

24/11/20

ArcelorMittal could close two service centres in France

London, 20 November (Argus) — Europe's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal is contemplating closing two service centres in France as part of a restructuring at its Centres de Services business in the country. The company informed staff on Tuesday that it might close its Reims and Denain sites because of a "sharp drop in activity among its industry and automotive customers", the company told Argus . Negotiations with trade unions will begin shortly, it said. Rumours about the potential closures have been circling since just before a large industry event in Hannover, Germany, in late October. Further consolidation and restructuring is expected throughout the European service centre market because of the fall in real consumption, and the difficult financial position it has caused for some processors. Most service centres have been selling processed sheet at a loss in recent months, because of weak end-consumption. German cold-roller Bilstein, that sells predominantly to the automotive industry, will reduce headcount and is contemplating closing one of its five lines, or reducing shifts across its business. There have also been market discussions about ArcelorMittal selling other automotive-facing service centres in Europe, as part of a wider reorganisation of the EU processing sector. Germany's largest steelmaker, ThyssenKrupp, has closed some of its distribution sites in its home country. Participants note the service centres are not part of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, which is still in talks with Daniel Kretinsky over taking a 50pc share in the business. ThyssenKrupp's ownership change could have wider ramifications for the service centre and steelmaking sector in general, with Kretinsky open to finding a strategic partner. By Colin Richardson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Graphjet launches Malaysian biomass-to-graphite plant

24/11/20

Graphjet launches Malaysian biomass-to-graphite plant

Singapore, 20 November (Argus) — Nasdaq-listed Graphjet Technology has started operations at its artificial graphite plant in Malaysia, which will produce battery-grade graphite using recycled palm kernel shells (PKS), the firm said on 19 November. Graphjet's facility has the capacity to produce 3,000 t/yr of graphite by recycling up to 9,000 t/yr of PKS, which is sufficient to produce batteries for 40,000 electric vehicles (EVs)/yr. The firm has already received its first shipment of PKS, it said. Graphjet has another artificial graphite production facility planned in US' Nevada, and it plans to produce hard carbon at the Malaysian facility to use as feedstock at the Nevada facility. The Nevada facility is expected to have the capacity to recycle 30,000 t/yr of PKS to produce 10,000 t/yr of battery-grade artificial graphite and is slated to begin production in 2026, said Graphjet in April. China, the dominant producer of graphite, added a number of graphite products into its export licensing scheme at the end of last year. The move back then alarmed its neighbours, Japan and South Korea , which are major battery-producing countries and they have since been looking to reduce their dependency on Chinese graphite. China's graphite flake exports fell by 23pc to 44,103t during January-September following the exports curb, according to Chinese customs data. By Joseph Ho Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan, Peru sign deal to enhance copper supply chain

24/11/19

Japan, Peru sign deal to enhance copper supply chain

Tokyo, 19 November (Argus) — The Japanese and Peruvian governments have signed a strategic partnership to bolster the copper supply chain, with a comprehensive road map to promote bilateral business opportunities for natural resources. This agreement came as Japan accelerates efforts to secure copper supplies, while Peru is a key global copper supplier. The two countries rolled out a comprehensive road map for enhancing political and economic relationships on 17 November. This includes organising an annual bilateral meeting for mining and energy investment as well as conducting joint research on efficient mining operations, such as removal of impurities from copper ores, according to the road map. Unlike conventional initial agreements that are typically signed without a specific closing date, the Japanese-Peruvian road map has set a 10-year timeline that will end by 2033. This seems to reflect Japan's sense of urgency in securing base metal supply including copper. "Japan would like to continue to co-operate with Peru to strengthen the resilience of the supply chain of mineral resources such as copper", said Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba in Peru on 17 November. Japan's current strategic energy plan that was revised in 2021 aims to lift base metal self-sufficiency to 80pc by 2030, up by around 30 percentage points from the 2018 level. But the strategy appears to not be on track, the country's ministry of trade and industry Meti reiterated in late October without disclosing the current rate. Japan appears to be especially concerned about copper supply. Meti forecasts global copper demand to double to around 50mn t in 2035 following the global electrification of applications including electric vehicles, while there will likely be a 10mn t/yr supply shortage. The country's domestic copper ingot demand is forecast to exceed 1.4mn t by 2030, according to Meti, up by 400,000 t from the 2022 level. This is partially attributed to the adoption of more artificial intelligence, it added. Japan is making efforts to diversify copper supply sources, given the deterioration in quality of copper supplied by the world's biggest producer Chile, Meti said. Peru and Argentina are prominent suppliers in the region, according to Meti, adding that Japanese government support is essential for acquiring stakes in upstream operations in those countries, given their higher risks. By Yusuke Maekawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Progress on actions to cut emissions uncertain

24/11/18

Cop: Progress on actions to cut emissions uncertain

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