--Now in demonstration operations at CBMM’s
industrial plant in Araxá, Brazil, further paving the way to
battery commercialization--
Toshiba Corporation and Sojitz Corporation of Japan, and
Brazil’s CBMM, the world’s leading producer of niobium, have
completed development of a next generation lithium-ion battery that
uses niobium titanium oxide (NTO) in the anode. They today held an
opening ceremony and unveiled a prototype E-bus powered with the
new battery, which realizes an ultra-fast charge time of around 10
minutes and delivers high energy density. The bus has started
testing and demonstration operations at CBMM’s industrial plant in
Araxá, Brazil.
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Toshiba, Sojitz and CBMM unveiled an
Ultra-Fast Charging Prototype Electric Bus Powered by
Next-Generation Lithium-ion Batteries with NTO Anodes at CBMM’s
industrial plant in Araxá, Brazil. (Photo: Business Wire)
This marks the world’s first operation* of a prototype e-vehicle
powered by a lithium-ion battery with NTO anodes, further paving
the way to battery commercialization. The three companies will
continue to work together to maximize the use of their respective
technologies and knowledge, toward launching the next-generation
lithium-ion battery with NTO anode in the global market in Spring
2025.
The NTO battery-powered E-bus was developed by Volkswagen Truck
& Bus, Brazil, a pioneer in the development and mass production
of electric trucks in Latin America. The prototype will also be
tested at CBMM’s industrial plant to provide invaluable data on the
characteristics of the NTO battery and vehicle operation data, and
support any adjustments needed for commercialization.
NTO has twice the theoretical volume density of the
graphite-based anode generally used in lithium-ion batteries, which
prompted the three companies to sign a joint agreement to explore
its potential in June 2018. They subsequently signed a joint
development agreement in September 2021 that extended their
collaboration to mass production processes of next-generation
batteries, mainly targeting application in commercial e-vehicles.
In August 2023, the three companies entered into a broad joint
sales and marketing agreement that covered building a supply chain
and promoting sales and marketing activities, and subsequently, in
May this year, at a ceremony attended by representatives of the
Brazilian and Japanese governments, they signed a memorandum of
understanding on strengthening the supply chain and business
promotion.
Toshihiko Takaoka, Vice President of the Battery Division at
Toshiba Corporation said, “I am very pleased to see an E-bus
equipped with our NTO battery, SCiB™ Nb. In partnership with CBMM
and Sojitz, Toshiba has implemented the practical use of niobium in
battery material applications with the development of an NTO
battery that recharges quickly and delivers high energy density. We
will continue the development work to expand our SCiB™ battery
lineup and business”.
Koichi Yamaguchi, Senior Managing Executive Officer and
President & CEO for the Americas of Sojitz Corporation said,
“Sojitz, as one of CBMM's shareholders and CBMM's sole agent for
the Japanese market, has been building a stable raw material supply
system and cultivating applications. Through this demonstration, we
are very confident that the NTO battery brings the market a new
solution for the electrification of the mobilities and other
applications. Taking advantage of our global sales networks and an
operational presence in a wide range of industries, we, Sojitz,
will play major roles in the project with regards to supply chain
management as well as accelerating business development including
sales activities.
Rogério Ribas, Technical Head of Battery Program at CBMM said,
“The use of niobium oxide in the anode of lithium-ion batteries
brings special characteristics for this component. As it hosts
lithium at an inherently stable voltage, it provides safer and more
efficient operation. In addition, due to its open crystalline
structure, which facilitates the intercalation of lithium, it
allows a full recharge in less than 10 minutes, without causing
damage to the battery. Due to these unique characteristics,
niobium-containing batteries are safer and have a much longer
lifespan than traditional batteries”.
*As of June 19, 2024. Research by Toshiba, Sojitz and CBMM.
To find out more about the SCiB™ Nb, visit the site:
https://www.global.toshiba/ww/products-solutions/battery/scib/next/nb.html
SCiB™ is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.
About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation leads a global group of companies that
combines knowledge and capabilities from almost 150 years of
experience in a wide range of businesses—from energy and social
infrastructure to electronic devices—with world-class capabilities
in information processing, digital and AI technologies. These
distinctive strengths support Toshiba in building infrastructure
that everyone can enjoy, and a connected data society, and in
achieving the Company’s ultimate goal, a future that realizes
carbon neutrality and a circular economy. Guided by the Basic
Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to
the Future,” Toshiba contributes to society’s positive development
with services and solutions that lead to a better world. The Group
and its 105,000 employees worldwide secured annual sales of 3.3
trillion yen in fiscal year 2023.
For more information, visit
https://www.global.toshiba/ww/top.html or follow Toshiba
Corporation on LinkedIn.
About Sojitz Corporation
Sojitz Corporation was formed out of the union of Nichimen
Corporation and Nissho Iwai Corporation, both companies that boast
incredibly long histories. For more than 160 years, our business
has helped support the development of countless countries and
regions. Today, Sojitz Corporation and its Group companies are
engaged in a wide range of business, including manufacturing,
selling, importing, and exporting a variety of products in addition
to providing services and investing in diversified businesses,
globally. The Sojitz Group consists of approximately 400
subsidiaries and affiliates located in Japan and throughout the
world.
About CBMM
World leader in the production and marketing of Niobium
products, CBMM has more than 500 customers in 50 countries.
Headquartered in Brazil, with regional offices in China, the
Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States, the
company supplies products and technology to the infrastructure,
mobility, aerospace, healthcare, and energy sectors. The company
has a New Business front to support its growth plans through the
development of new applications that is focused on accelerating the
entry, into the global market, of Niobium technology. In the last 5
years, CBMM has made strategic investments aiming at new
developments in Niobium materials for Li-ion batteries. Since its
foundation, CBMM has developed projects in Brazil and in several
countries around the world to foster the adoption of Niobium
technology by several industries. For further information, please
visit https://cbmm.com/en
Find out more about Niobium technologies
Website: Niobium.tech LinkedIn: Niobium.tech Instagram:
@Niobium.tech Twitter: Niobium_Nb Youtube: Niobium.tech
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Press Contact: Toshiba Corporate Communications
Div. media.relations@toshiba.co.jp Sojitz Corporation Public
Relations Dept. hodo@sojitz.com +81-3-6871-3404 CBMM: PR
Consulting – Office imprensacbmm@oficina.ci
+55-11-99832.4877