GKN Hoeganaes, a division of GKN Powder Metallurgy and one of the largest iron powder producers globally, recently announced a strategic collaboration with First Phosphate. This partnership marks a significant step toward establishing a North American supply chain for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries — a critical component for the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage industries.
The partnership follows GKN Hoeganaes’ successful integration of First Phosphate’s magnetite into its proprietary Ancorsteel melting process. The process has led to the development of a high-purity iron powder, which serves as a precursor for lithium iron phosphate cathode active material necessary for producing LFP batteries.
LFP batteries — known for their cost-effectiveness, safety, and stable raw material availability — are increasingly in demand for EVs. In support of this demand, the collaboration marks one of the first substantial efforts to establish a North American production line for LFP battery components, helping reduce dependency on international supply chains.
First Phosphate is set to integrate high purity Ancorsteel into its upcoming iron phosphate precursor (FP pCAM) and lithium iron phosphate cathode active material (LFP CAM) production facility in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, with ambitions to reach 400,000 tonnes per annum by 2032.
Supporting this vision, GKN Hoeganaes is prepared to scale its Gallatin, Tennessee operations, already the world’s largest steel atomizing plant, and will be providing its research and development facilities in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, for process enhancement and optimization.
A key differentiator of this newly developed Ancorsteel material is its composition of sustainable North American iron scrap and magnetite, aligning with non-FEOC standards for domestic production. The partnership aims to secure the production of LFP batteries with domestic, circular, and environmentally friendly materials.
You may also like:
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News