CBMM, the global leader in the production and commercialization of Niobium products, has officially inaugurated the world’s first volume manufacturing facility dedicated to producing Echion Technologies’ proprietary ultra-fast charging XNO® active anode material technology. The new plant, located in Araxá, Brazil, is the largest Niobium-based anode production facility in the world, capable of producing 2,000 tons per year of XNO®, equivalent to 1 GWh of lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells.
This facility enables Echion to mass-produce XNO® at scale to meet the worldwide demand for the product. Echion’s unique partnership with CBMM ensures a robust and reliable supply chain for XNO®.
The plant was opened at a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by CBMM, Echion and its customers, government representatives, senior leadership teams from both companies, and journalists from Brazilian media outlets. The opening marked a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between CBMM and Echion and represents a major step forward in the companies’ joint goal of expanding the use of Niobium in battery production. In addition to driving technological innovation, the new plant reflects CBMM’s commitment to contributing to a more sustainable future through advanced technologies.
Echion’s Niobium-based anode material, XNO®, enables Li-ion batteries to ultra-fast charge safely, maintain high energy densities even at extreme temperatures, and deliver high power across a cycle life of more than 10,000 cycles. XNO® has been specifically engineered to allow electrified heavy-duty industrial, commercial, and mass-transport vehicles to operate with the highest productivity and the lowest total cost of ownership.
Speaking at the event, Jean de La Verpilliere, CEO of Echion Technologies, said: “The opening of this production plant creates robust supply capacity to meet the significant commercial demand we have for XNO®. XNO® is already having a positive impact on our cell manufacturing customers, downstream OEMs, and end-users. Echion is beginning to trade at scale, and that is a major milestone for company growth. I would like to thank CBMM for their ongoing partnership with Echion to bring XNO® to mass production.”
CBMM has set a target of achieving 30% of its revenue from non-steel-based products by 2030. Every year, CBMM invests R$ 250 million in its Technology Program. This collaboration with Echion is fundamental to maximizing the potential of new materials, focusing on the development of Niobium-enhanced anodes that increase battery efficiency and durability. As part of its strategic growth plan, CBMM aims to reach a capacity of 20,000 tons of niobium oxide by 2030 for batteries.
Ricardo Lima, CEO of CBMM, said: “At CBMM, we anticipate significant growth in the battery sector in the coming years. Therefore, we are proud to celebrate the fruits of this partnership, which reinforces our Sustainability Plan and aligns with global trends toward decarbonization and the promotion of electrification. This inauguration is milestone in our history, enabling CBMM to keep transforming science into technology, and technology into business.”
Find out more about Echion’s leading XNO® technology at: https://echiontech.com/.
Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact David Hartley, [email protected] or 01223 421835.
Photo captions
Image Caption 1: New facility, located at CBMM’s Industrial Complex, in Araxá, Brazil.
Image Caption 2: Members of Echion Technologies and CBMM team standing in front of opening ceremony ribbon.
Image Caption 3: Echion Technologies and CBMM Chief Executive Officers officially opening the new facility.
About Echion Technologies Echion Technologies LTD (Cambridge, UK) supplies its world-leading niobium-based anode material, XNO®, to cell manufacturers looking to build lithium-ion batteries with market-leading safety, cycle-life, and fast-charging capabilities. Powered by XNO® means lithium-ion batteries that can ultra-fast charge safely, maintain high energy densities even at low temperatures, and deliver high power across a cycle life of more than 10,000 cycles. Echion outsources the production of its XNO® material powders to trusted manufacturing partners and to ensure both quality and scale.
The differentiated performance enabled by XNO® helps cell manufacturers gain a technical and commercial advantage in high-value, fast-growing markets where end-users require the highest safety, lowest total cost of ownership, and highest productivity. This includes industrial and commercial e-mobility markets such as rail, marine, mining and other off-highway vehicles, opportunity-charging e-buses and material handling equipment.
About CBMM
World leader in the production and marketing of Niobium products, CBMM has more than 500 customers in over 50 countries. Headquartered in Brazil, with regional offices in China, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States, the company supplies products and technology to the infrastructure, mobility, aerospace, healthcare, and energy sectors. The company has a New Business front to support its growth plans through the development of new applications that is focused on accelerating the entry, into the global market, of Niobium technology. In the last 5 years, CBMM has made strategic investments aiming at new developments in Niobium materials for Li-ion batteries. Since its foundation, CBMM has developed projects in Brazil and in several countries around the world to foster the adoption of Niobium technology by several industries. For further information, please visit https://cbmm.com/en.
Oficina Consultoria
Ana Carolina Passaro – [email protected] – +55 11 98289.7178
Bianca Tresca – [email protected] – +55 11 99100.0842
Rede Comunicação Juliana Corrêa – [email protected] – +55 31 99394.8270
