Finnish Minerals Group prepares to invest in auxiliary processes of Johnson Matthey’s battery materials plant

Finnish Minerals Group is planning to invest in the development of selected auxiliary processes required in the production of battery materials. The development work is closely related to Johnson Matthey’s plan to establish a cathode material production facility in Vaasa.  

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The aim of the work regarding the auxiliary processes is two-fold: firstly, to develop and deploy novel technological solutions to treat sodium sulphate-rich effluent at industrial scale, and secondly to implement production of selected metallic raw materials. The work also includes auxiliary process integration to the main process of battery materials production.

Long-term research and development work put into practice

Following its strategy, Finnish Minerals Group develops the Finnish battery value chain and aims at increasing the degree of processing of Finnish minerals. One of the company’s core focus areas is the development of the production of metallic raw materials. Further to this, since 2015 Finnish Minerals Group has carried out sodium sulphate-rich effluent treatment research and development work.

“Our long-term goal is to create increasingly sustainable solutions for mining and battery material industries. The strategic partnership agreement we have now signed with Johnson Matthey, a British listed company, opens up an opportunity for us to continue the development of critical auxiliary processes of battery materials production at industrial scale,” says Matti Hietanen, CEO of Finnish Minerals Group.

“The strategic partnership with Finnish Minerals Group is an important milestone on our journey towards developing a sustainable battery materials ecosystem and further demonstrates the progress we are making on the commercialisation of our business. With sustainability at the heart our strategy and an increasingly important requirement for our customers and consumers, we are delighted to be working with Finnish Minerals Group to deliver sustainable cathode materials to the market,” says Robert MacLeod, CEO of Johnson Matthey.

EIA process to be launched at a later stage

Finnish Battery Chemicals Oy, a project company of Finnish Minerals Group, initiated an environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in March 2020 on the production of battery materials. At the time, the cities of Kokkola, Vaasa, Kotka and Hamina in Finland were considered as potential locations. In October, the procedure was focused on Kotka and Hamina, and the EIA work continued based on the original plan.  

Johnson Matthey has chosen Vaasa as the starting point for its feasibility study and will, in due course, launch an EIA procedure for the planned facility.

Further information:
CEO Matti Hietanen, Finnish Minerals Group, +358 40 8238806, matti.hietanen(at)mineralsgroup.fi
SVP Vesa Koivisto, Finnish Minerals Group, +358 50 4536322, vesa.koivisto(at)mineralsgroup.fi
 

About Finnish Minerals Group

The mission of Finnish Minerals Group is to responsibly maximise the value of Finnish minerals. We manage the State’s mining industry shareholdings and strive to develop the Finnish value chain of lithium-ion batteries. In addition, we are engaged in long-term technology development of the mining and battery industry. Through our work, we contribute to Europe moving towards electric transport and a more sustainable future. www.mineralsgroup.fi

About Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in science that enables a cleaner and healthier world. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function and safety of our customers’ products and in 2020 we received the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark, given to companies that derive more than 50% of revenues from environmental solutions. Our science has a global impact in areas such as low emission transport, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing and making the most efficient use of the planet’s natural resources. Today more than 15,000 Johnson Matthey professionals collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a real difference to the world around us. For more information, visit www.matthey.com