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    Element 25 will supply EV Automaker Stellantis with Manganese Sulfate for Batteries

    Jan. 10, 2023
    Element 25 will supply 45 kilotons of the material, sourced from its Butcherbird Manganese project in Western Australia, to Stellantis beginning in 2026
    Butcherbird Manganese project in Western Australia. Image credit Element 25
    Butcherbird Manganese project in Western Australia. Image credit Element 25

    Dutch automaker Stellantis has signed a five-year agreement with mining company Element 25 to supply battery-grade, high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate for use in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

    Under the deal, Element 25 will supply 45 kilotons of the material, sourced from its Butcherbird Manganese project in Western Australia, to Stellantis beginning in 2026. The contract also includes options to extend the supply term and volumes. Element 25 says it plans to build a processing facility in the U.S. to meet the demand.

    In exchange, Stellantis will make an equity investment in Element 25. The deal supports the auto manufacturer’s electrification strategy, which includes acquiring extensive supplies of raw materials for battery electric vehicle (BEV) production. Stellantis plans to invest over €30 billion through 2025 in software development and electrification.

    Additionally, Stellantis plans to reach 100-percent of passenger car BEV sales mix in Europe and 50-percent passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales mix in the U.S. by 2030, as part of its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. The company aims to become carbon neutral by 2038 and to achieve a 50-percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

    “Our commitment to a carbon net zero future includes creation of a smart supply chain to ensure we meet our customers’ desire for EVs,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “Electric vehicles that deliver breakthrough customer experience in propulsion, connectivity and convenience are central to our Dare Forward 2030 plan that delivers safe, clean and affordable mobility.”

    Based in Australia, Element 25 develops refined manganese sulphate monohydrate products for traditional and new energy markets.

    The company's name plays on the fact that manganese is listed as the 25th element on the periodic table. EV automakers such as Tesla and Volkswagen also are exploring manganese as an alternative to the dominant lithium ion in battery chemistry. 

    Headquartered in Amsterdam, Stellantis was formed in 2021 following the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with PSA Group.

    Late last year, Stellantis announced that production of its new M3 electric motors would rise to more than 1 million by the end of 2024. The company is planning produce 12 electric vehicle models in France over the coming years.

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.