Our Next Energy in Novi Signs Agreement to Advance EV Batteries with 600-mile Range

Our Next Energy (ONE) in Novi has signed a joint development agreement with North Andover, Mass.-based additive manufacturing company 6K’s 6K Energy division to develop and produce the critical battery material ONE will use in its Gemini and Aries battery platforms.

The agreement strengthens the procurement of domestically produced electric vehicle batteries for automotive OEMs manufactured by ONE made with battery materials produced locally by 6K Energy.

“ONE is recognized in the industry as chartering exciting new milestones with their Gemini and Aries battery technologies,” says Sam Trinch, president of 6K Energy. “This agreement allows us to leverage the power of our UniMelt microwave plasma to extend performance of the chemistries, while keeping production on US soil.”

Both organizations are focused on supplying the industry with domestically sourced batteries and battery material while also lowering the environmental impact associated with traditional production technologies.

As part of the agreement, both organizations will work together on two chemistries ONE intends to use in their battery platforms. The chemistries revolve around iron phosphate and manganese materials.

A key element to the success of this agreement is the ability to leverage strategic partnerships both upstream and downstream in the supply chain, such as 6K Energy’s relationship with Albemarle, a leading global supplier of lithium, and ONE’s ongoing relationships with leading automotive OEMs.

ONE recently signed an agreement with BMW Group to build a prototype vehicle that incorporates ONE’s Gemini Dual-Chemistry battery technology.

Early collaboration will start in 6K Energy’s Battery Center of Excellence located in North Andover, Mass., where both teams will work jointly on qualification and performance targets. The agreement outlines a path to scale production where 6K UniMelt technology would process cathode materials in ONE’s manufacturing plant.

“This agreement with 6K Energy represents an important milestone for both organizations. By onshoring our cell manufacturing and battery materials and implementing a localized supply chain, ONE will be able to reduce our products carbon emissions by 34 percent. Implementing 6K’s UniMelt technology will help ONE further drive down our emissions,” says Deeana Ahmed, vice president of strategy and government relations at ONE.

“Since 2020, supply chain disruptions have underscored the importance of a domestic battery supply chain. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is vital for this partnership; the unprecedented incentives contained in the IRA will accelerate demand for American-made energy storage technology. The law will facilitate new partnerships that will define the next generation of manufacturing jobs.”

6K’s UniMelt system replaces a lengthy, multi-step, high waste chemical process with one that is ultra-clean and ultra-fast, powered by a 6000-Kelvin degree microwave plasma. Compared to state-of-the-art cathode active material (CAM) plants today, 6K Energy uses half the footprint, substantially lower CapEx, and lower conversion costs.

Implementing a 6K Energy solution for CAM production in the U.S. has the potential to save billions of dollars and eliminate solid and liquid hazardous waste while reducing water usage by 90 percent.

ONE is committed to driving considerable global, social, and economic impact on emerging markets by moving towards more sustainable supply chains. And doing so through two battery technologies: Aries, a high energy density LFP pack; and Gemini, a dual-chemistry battery technology that can achieve 600 miles range in passenger vehicles while prioritizing more sustainable materials.