Iondrive Ltd (ASX:ION), formerly Southern Gold Ltd, reports that it is progressing towards the commercialisation of its exclusively licensed battery technologies.
The company has engaged Rho Motion, a highly respected UK-based battery supply chain consulting firm, to assist with completing a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for its deep-eutectic solvent (DES) battery recycling technology.
The PFS includes a technical review involving a rigorous gap analysis by engineering firm, Lycopodium (ASX:LYL). This is focusing on DES process analysis, upstream feed material evaluation from an Australian supplier, and investigating downstream eco-friendly waste treatment.
Iondrive expects that the PFS, which is due to be completed in the first quarter of next year, will establish the optimum commercialisation path for its DES battery recycling technology.
The company says its DES battery recycling technology is proposed to outperform conventional battery recycling processes, with greater selectivity and recoveries of high-purity single valuable metal elements, while aiming to do so at lower cost.
A focus on the clean energy transition
The company recently rebranded to better reflect its strategic focus on downstream battery technologies and exploration for critical clean energy transition minerals. This included not only changing its name from Southern Gold Ltd, but the appointment of two new highly respected non-executive directors, Jack Hamilton and Adam Slater.
Hamilton previously worked for Calix Limited, AnteoTech Ltd (ASX:ADO) and is currently non-executive director of Hazer Group Ltd (ASX:HZR, OTC:HZRGF), while Slater established a multibillion dollar commodity trading division at SGX-listed CWT Limited and has an extensive venture capital network based in Singapore.
Further, Dr Ebbe Dommisse who is a chemical engineer with deep experience in scaling up early-stage chemical based technologies was appointed interim CEO for Iondrive subsidiary, IonDrive Technologies.
Dr Dommisse is now actively engaged with potential technological and commercial partners. He is also leading studies into the technical and commercial aspects of Iondrive’s other next generation battery technologies, Aqueous Sodium-Ion Battery and NCM 811 cathode active material technologies.
“Since joining Iondrive a few months ago, my conviction in our technologies has only strengthened. The ingenuity of our DES battery recycling technology particularly stands out. It’s imperative that we develop sustainable solutions as the demand for battery recycling grows with the increasing use of electric vehicles,” said Iondrive Technologies interim CEO Ebbe Dommisse.
“We are actively pursuing partnerships to scale this technology and are progressing towards a prefeasibility study, anticipating meaningful developments in the near future. Our team will be a driving force as we navigate this crucial industry evolution.”