Latest news with #CNGRAdvancedMaterials
Maroc
11 hours ago
- Business
- Maroc
COBCO's Manufacturing Unit for Electric Battery Materials, Major Milestone in Morocco's Industry
The first manufacturing unit dedicated to the production of electric battery active materials, inaugurated by COBCO company on Wednesday in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, marks a major milestone in the country's industry. A fruit of a strategic partnership between AL MADA, a Moroccan pan-African investment fund, and CNGR Advanced Materials, a global leader in battery materials, this industrial platform confirms Morocco's growing role as a regional hub in clean-technology industry and a committed player in global green-technology. On the occasion of the inauguration of this unit, COBCO announced the commissioning of the first phase of its production complex for nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) precursor cathodes (pCAM). This industrial platform, spanning more than 238 hectares, is dedicated to the recovery of metals critical to the energy transition, especially domestic natural resources such as phosphate, cobalt and manganese. These raw materials are transformed locally into strategic components for batteries used in EV and stationary energy markets. The plant, which has committed a total investment of MAD 20 billion (around $2 billion), is in charge of the production of high-tech chemical components for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, mainly for the European and North American markets. Two types of strategic products will be deployed, requiring heavy investment, advanced expertise and cutting-edge technologies. These are NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) precursors, with a target production capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year, and LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) cathodes, with a target production capacity of 60,000 metric tons/year. COBCO also covers the upstream part of the value chain, with a dual ambition: to strengthen local integration and generate industrial value in Morocco, through the refining of critical metals (nickel, cobalt, manganese), used in the production of NMC precursors, and the recycling of black mass, the residue from the crushing of end-of-life batteries, in order to extract the strategic metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt), with a processing capacity of 30,000 metric tons per year. Ultimately, all of these capacities will generate a combined capacity equivalent to 70 GWh per year, enough to equip nearly one million EVs annually. By catalyzing the emergence of a Moroccan ecosystem dedicated to the strategic electric battery industry and targeting European and North American markets, COBCO aims to become a strategic industrial lever between Africa, Europe and China, and a key part of Morocco's repositioning as a regional energy and industrial hub, serving the global energy transition. On the ground, more than 5,000 jobs were created during the construction phase. Ultimately, more than 1,800 highly skilled direct jobs will be created, as well as 1,800 indirect jobs in subcontracting, logistics, services, and local infrastructure. As for COBCO's environmental strategy, it rests on several pillars, including the implementation of an low-carbon footprint industrial plant, based on circular economy and environmental performance, certification procedures for the main international standards will be launched starting 2025 as well as a sustainable production, based on the usage of Moroccan green energy (with an objective of 80% in 2025 and 100% by the end of 2026), as well as the usage of desalinated water and water treatment and recycling systems. It is clear that Morocco is emerging as a credible and strategic industrial platform, combining free trade agreements with the European Union and the U.S., with logistical proximity to Europe and a structured production environment and a qualified workforce. MAP: 25 June 2025
Ya Biladi
13 hours ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
COBCO opens Morocco's first battery materials factory
The first manufacturing facility dedicated to producing electric battery active materials, inaugurated on Wednesday by COBCO in Jorf Lasfar, marks a major milestone for Morocco's industrial sector. The result of a strategic partnership between AL MADA, a Moroccan pan-African investment fund, and CNGR Advanced Materials, a global leader in battery materials, this industrial platform affirms Morocco's growing role as a regional hub for clean technologies and a committed player in the global green-tech economy. During the inauguration, COBCO announced the launch of the first phase of its production complex for nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) precursor cathodes (pCAM). Spanning over 238 hectares, the site is dedicated to processing critical metals essential to the energy transition, particularly domestic resources such as phosphate, cobalt, and manganese. These raw materials are locally transformed into strategic components for batteries used in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. With a total investment of MAD 20 billion (approximately $2 billion), the plant will produce high-tech chemical components for lithium-ion batteries, primarily for the European and North American markets. Two strategic products will be manufactured on-site, requiring significant investment, advanced expertise, and cutting-edge technology: NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) precursors, with a target production of 120,000 metric tons per year, and LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) cathodes, with an annual target of 60,000 metric tons. COBCO also addresses the upstream segment of the value chain, with a dual objective: to boost local integration and create industrial value in Morocco. This includes refining critical metals (nickel, cobalt, manganese) for NMC precursor production and recycling black mass—residue from end-of-life batteries—to extract strategic metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The recycling unit will have a processing capacity of 30,000 metric tons per year. At full capacity, the platform will support the production of 70 GWh per year—enough to power nearly one million electric vehicles annually. By fostering the emergence of a Moroccan ecosystem dedicated to the strategic battery industry and focusing on European and North American markets, COBCO aims to serve as a key industrial bridge between Africa, Europe, and China. This initiative reinforces Morocco's position as a regional energy and industrial hub driving the global energy transition. During construction, the project created over 5,000 jobs. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate more than 1,800 highly skilled direct jobs and 1,800 indirect jobs across subcontracting, logistics, services, and local infrastructure. COBCO's environmental strategy is built on several pillars, including the development of a low-carbon industrial site based on circular economy principles and high environmental performance. Certification procedures aligned with major international standards will begin in 2025. The facility aims to source 80% of its energy from Moroccan green energy by 2025 and reach 100% by the end of 2026. It will also use desalinated water and implement water treatment and recycling systems.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- 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)
Morocco World
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Electric Vehicles: Morocco Inaugurates 40,000-Ton Lithium Battery Materials Plant
Rabat – COBCO announced the inauguration of the first lithium-ion material manufacturing unit on Wednesday in Jorf Lasfar. With a capacity of 40,000 tons, the project is part of the first investment phase in the company's industrial complex dedicated to Nickel, Manganese Cobalt-based cathode precursors. The materials are key components for electric vehicles, batteries, and stationary energy storage, a statement from COBCO said, noting that the materials are made of metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The Moroccan company, which is a strategic partnership between Al Mada and CNGR Advanced Materials, explained that the industrial platform spans more than 200 hectares. The company pledged that the project is a 'strategic milestone in the development of Morocco's clean technology industry.' 'This key step not only marks the launch of a pioneering project outside Asia but also catalyzes the emergence of a Moroccan ecosystem dedicated to the strategic battery industry targeting the MENA region, Europe, and the United States,' the statement reads, noting that the project strengthens Morocco's ambition to become a central player in global green technology value chains. The statement said the total investment for the project ultimately amounts to several billion dirhams, spreading across three complementary industrial projects. The COBCO production complex will include an annual capacity of 120,000 tons of Nickel Manganese Cobalt precursor production and 60,000 tonnes for Lithium-Iron Phosphate cathode production. COBCO pledges to continue to boost its activities to reinforce Morocco's industrial sovereignty and contribute to the consolidation of its automotive ecosystem in the context of the electric transition. The company is promising 5,000 jobs during the construction phase, with 1,800 direct skilled jobs and 1,800 indirect jobs created in the long term. The planned project comes as Morocco is aiming to increase its electric vehicle production capacity by 53%. Earlier this month, Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour said Morocco's goal is to increase production to reach 107,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2025. Morocco's overall automotive production stands at 700,000 vehicles, and by the end of the year, Morocco is expected to produce one million vehicles. The automotive sector is Morocco's first exporting industry. Between 2014 and 2018, the sector created at least 116,000 jobs. Tags: Automotive ExportsElectric Vehicle Battery
Reuters
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Sino-Moroccan COBCO begins producing EV battery materials
RABAT, June 25 (Reuters) - 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 ( opens new tab and Renault ( opens new tab 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.
