- Cook Government confirms a 12-month extension of funding to ensure ongoing operations of the Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant (C4P)
- The C4P demonstrates Western Australia's technical and processing capability to produce precursor cathode active material (pCAM) for the battery industry
- Ongoing operations of the C4P is a partnership between Curtin University, Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael today announced a funding extension of the Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant (C4P) by the Cook Government via the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
The C4P is unique and one of only a small number of facilities available globally to pursue pilot production of precursor cathode materials.
The $1,494,000 funding commitment will support a partnership between Curtin University, CSIRO and MRIWA and leverages the capability created by the Future Battery Industry Cooperative Research Centre.
Supporting the objectives of the State's Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy 2024-2030 to increase onshore processing of raw materials to higher-value products and expand critical minerals processing capabilities, the C4P will develop capability, progress research initiatives and support the delivery of fee for service activities to industry.
The Cook Government is committed to supporting research commercialisation and facilitating investment in pilot and demonstration-scale infrastructure.
Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael:
"The State Government recognises the importance of knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary research and innovation synergies to improve WA's global competitiveness.
"This funding extension via MRIWA, ensures the Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant can be used to accelerate research and skills development to deliver outcomes of direct interest to the WA public.
"Continued operation ensures retention of this unique capability in WA and creates a cornerstone from which industry, government, and researchers can collaborate to achieve an internationally competitive, ethical and value adding battery and critical minerals industry that enables global decarbonisation and underpins our economic diversification."
