COBCO and Umicore Sign Strategic Supply Agreement for Precursor Cathode Active Materials for Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries
COBCO, the battery materials joint venture between AL MADA and CNGR Advanced Materials, has signed a strategic long-term supply agreement with Umicore, a global leader in circular materials technology, for the delivery of precursor cathode active materials (pCAM) to be used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Under the terms of the agreement, COBCO will supply high-performance NCM pCAM from its newly commissioned production facility at Jorf Lasfar, Morocco. These materials will feed Umicore's cathode active material (CAM) production lines, supporting its international customer base and contributing to the advancement of sustainable mobility in Europe and beyond.
This partnership underscores the growing momentum behind building a robust, transparent, and low-carbon battery value chain in the EMEA region. COBCO's state-of-the-art plant operates to the highest environmental and quality standards, leveraging Morocco's renewable energy potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its products.
'This agreement marks a significant milestone in COBCO's ambition to become a strategic supplier of low-carbon, high-quality battery materials to global leaders in electromobility,' said Allen Luo, CEO of COBCO. 'We are proud to contribute to Umicore's responsible sourcing and circularity commitments while anchoring critical battery materials production in Morocco.'
Commissioned in early 2025, COBCO's first production lines represent the foundation of a broader industrial development program. In addition to NCM pCAM, the company is expanding into Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cathode materials and black mass recycling—creating an integrated and circular battery materials ecosystem with a total capacity equivalent to 70 GWh, enough to power over 1 million EVs per year.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of COBCO.
For more information on COBCO:
Investor Relations
Hugo Mo
motan@cngrgf.com.cn
Media Relations
Lyu Min
lyumin@cobco.tech
About COBCO:
COBCO is a joint venture between AL MADA, a leading pan-African investment fund, and CNGR Advanced Materials, a global leader in advanced lithium-ion battery materials. Based in Morocco, COBCO is developing one of the region's most advanced battery materials hubs, focused on sustainability, innovation, and regional value creation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Channel Post MEA
an hour ago
- Channel Post MEA
NEC XON Earns Palo Alto Networks XMDR Partner Status In EMEA
NEC XON, a pan-African systems integrator and cybersecurity innovator, has officially achieved Palo Alto Networks XMDR (Extended Managed Detection and Response) Partner Status in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), joining an elite group of partners globally recognised for advanced threat detection, response capabilities, and strategic cyber defence. This achievement validates NEC XON's deep alignment with Palo Alto Networks' Cortex XDR platform and its ability to provide proactive, scalable incident response services on behalf of Palo Alto Networks — a capability shared by only a select few providers worldwide. More than just a partnership status 'XMDR gives us the ability to execute incident response on behalf of Palo Alto Networks, showcasing a unique partnership capability held by very few companies globally,' says Armand Kruger, Head of Cybersecurity at NEC XON. 'It's more than just a status — it's a validation of our architecture-first approach, our deep technical skills, and our ability to defend customers across hybrid and complex environments.' The XMDR status provides NEC XON's Managed Detection & Response (MDR) team with the ability to deliver truly integrated, preventative cyber protection across cloud, network, endpoint, and identity attack surfaces. 'The Palo Alto Networks XMDR designation gives our MDR team the power to help customers actively disrupt cyber adversaries, protect their environments proactively, and ensure long-term business sustainability,' says Ryno Le Roux, NEC XON's Head of Cyber Operations. 'It's a game-changer in how we deliver cyber resilience at scale.' Delivering world class threat protection Through this recognition, NEC XON is further empowered to deliver world-class threat detection, rapid containment, and expert-led response services using Palo Alto Networks' AI-driven Cortex XDR and XSOAR technologies. With a focus on continuous innovation and a customer-first mindset, NEC XON continues to set the benchmark for what a modern, business-aligned cybersecurity partner should look like — delivering not only defence but strategic resilience.
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Green mobility poised to transform UAE's SME landscape as EV adoption accelerates
26 June 2025 01:08 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)With electric vehicle (EV) adoption increasing and charging infrastructure becoming more accessible in the UAE, experts say the tangible benefits of clean mobility are extending beyond individual motorists to businesses - particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EVs are ideal transport options for SMEs, said Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, founder and CEO of VCharge, a Khalifa Fund-backed startup that specialises in EV charging infrastructure and smart mobility systems. 'They reduce fuel costs, lower carbon footprint, and improve long-term operational efficiency. Maintenance is simpler, and EVs help SMEs meet green procurement requirements,' Al Shamsi told Aletihad. Through incentives, financing, and collaborations, the UAE has been fuelling EV adoption among SMEs, he said. 'We are working with government partners to pilot shared charging hubs for SMEs and offer tech localisation support.' In the next five years, Al Shamsi believes that electric vehicles will play a key role in the daily operations of SMEs. 'EV charging will be seen as a key part of business infrastructure - not just transport,' he added. Another green mobility expert, Ahmed Al Ketbi, shared the sentiment, pointing out that there has been increasing demand for EV charging solutions among businesses, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 'The demand is high among delivery companies and property developers,' said Al Ketbi, founder and CEO of Evcars, another Khalifa Fund-supported startup that focuses on EV accessories and charging solutions.'At Evcars, we are committed to staying ahead by providing tailored solutions that make EV adoption easy, affordable, and efficient for SMEs across the region,' he told Aletihad. Al Ketbi envisions a green urban landscape where EV production is more localised, fleet leasing options are widely embraced, and workplace charging is the norm.'We are also pushing for more direct SME support, including subsidies on chargers and easier access to fleet leasing,' he said. Growing EV Adoption in UAE Strong government policies, saving opportunities, and technological advancements have been fuelling the EV shift in the UAE, the two experts said. 'Major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai are pushing sustainability agendas, and government fleets are leading the adoption, creating momentum in the private sector,' Al Shamsi said. Among the sectors that are showing robust demand are government, logistics, last-mile delivery, public transport, and hospitality, he added. Al Shamsi's VCharge alone has installed more than 8,000 chargers and delivered more than 130 government projects nationwide since it was established in 2019. Al Ketbi's Evcars is also building on the momentum and now growing its presence in Al Ain, Sharjah and Dubai, all the way to Muscat.
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Zawya
Sino-Moroccan COBCO begins producing EV battery materials
Sino-Moroccan company COBCO said on Wednesday it had begun production at a plant for lithium-ion battery components in Jorf Lasfar, 125 kilometres (78 miles) south of Casablanca. COBCO is a joint venture between Moroccan investment fund Al Mada and CNGR Advanced Materials, a battery materials producer. Morocco's proximity to Europe, automotive industry, free trade deals, and available phosphates and cobalt make it attractive to Chinese EV battery makers. In a first phase, the plant will produce two key components for lithium-ion batteries: nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and precursor cathodes (pCAM), COBCO said in a statement. The materials will be produced from nickel, cobalt and manganese, which are key components for EV batteries and stationary energy storage, it said. Ultimately, the $2 billion plant targets an annual capacity equivalent to 70 gigawatt-hours, enough to equip one million vehicles, a source close to the project told Reuters. The plant aims to reach an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of NMC precursors and 60,000 tonnes of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes. The LFP cathodes production will start "as soon as a regional LFP battery ecosystem emerges," the company said. COBCO's plant marks a first production start in Morocco's push to be a hub for the EV battery supply chain, as it seeks to adapt its automotive sector to EV industry requirements. Sino-European EV battery maker Gotion High Tech is building Africa's first gigafactory in Morocco, for a total investment of $6.5 billion, with production expected in the third quarter of 2026. Chinese auto battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom announced last year plans to set up two separate plants near Tangier, which would produce key EV battery ingredients: copper and anodes respectively. Chinese electric battery maker BTR New Material Group is also planning to produce key component cathodes in Tangier. Morocco is home to Stellantis and Renault vehicle production plants, and reported a 6.3% increase in automotive sector exports to a record 157 billion dirhams ($17 billion) in 2024, according to official figures. (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi Editing by Mark Potter)
