Rechargeable Battery Market is Becoming More Diverse as Technology Improves

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According to a report by Stratistics MRC, the Global Lithium-ion Battery market is accounted for $29.86 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $139.36 billion by 2026 and growing at a CAGR of 18.7%. The booming market for electrical vehicles, rapid technological advancements, and increasing demand from smart devices are some of the factors fueling the market growth. In addition, government regulations encourage to utilize batteries in order to reduce pollution, growing adoption in various industries as well as other factors boosting market growth. The report also indicates that North America is anticipated to hold lucrative market share for Lithium-ion Battery, whereas Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a faster pace. MGX Minerals Inc., Millennial Lithium Corp., Panasonic Corporation, Orocobre Ltd., Ford Motor Company.

William Tokash, Senior Research Analyst with Navigant Research explained, "The push by automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and battery manufacturers to continually reduce battery pack costs continues… This effort, led by improving battery manufacturing processes and maturing supply chains, is anticipated to yield a market driven by battery electric vehicles where both large and small capacity Li-ion battery-pack-equipped vehicles have markedly improved driving ranges."

MGX Minerals Inc. also listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the Ticker (CSE: XMG). Yesterday the company announced that it, "has been nominated in two categories as a finalist for the S&P Global Platts Metal Awards. MGX has been chosen as a finalist for the Base and Specialty Metals Industry Leadership Award as well as the Breakthrough Solution of the Year Award.

Global Metals Awards Finalists were chosen from a pool of nearly 100 nominations. An independent panel of international experts, whose background and experience include regulation, corporate leadership, trading and technology, will determine the award winners. Winners of the 2018 Global Metals Awards will be announced at a black-tie celebration on May 17, 2018 at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London. 

MGX's technology rapidly extracts lithium and other elements from oilfield and oilsands wastewater, mine tailings, and natural brine with a clean water by-product. Commercial units are nearing deployment and have been designed to be scalable and modular. MGX controls over two million acres of lithium-bearing brines throughout North America."

Millennial Lithium Corp. is an emerging exploration and development company focused on world class lithium assets in Argentina. On January 31, 2018, the company announced the results of its Preliminary Economic Assessment for the production of lithium carbonate from its Pastos Grandes Project in the province of Salta, Argentina. The PEA was prepared by WorleyParsons Chile S.A. ("WP"), a leading integrated independent engineering services firm with extensive experience in the design and construction of lithium brine projects in Argentina and Chile. The strong lithium mineral resource delineated at the Pastos Grandes Project and the PEA results form the basis for mine development.  The resource estimate, completed by Montgomery and Associates Chile, includes 2,131,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) equivalent in the Measured and Indicated Resource categories, with an additional 878,000 tonnes of Li2CO3 in the Inferred Resource category.

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. In 2017, the company announced that it has decided to start production of automotive lithium-ion batteries at a factory in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, expanding domestic production amid increasing demand for such batteries. The world market for automotive batteries, which are essentially required for eco-conscious vehicles, is also growing rapidly, with increasing expectations from auto manufacturers on Panasonic, the leading manufacturer of automotive lithium-ion batteries. Panasonic has been building up its production capacity of automotive batteries in Japan, the United States, and China. To further boost the capacity, the company has decided to produce prismatic automotive lithium-ion batteries at the Himeji factory, which currently produces LCD panels. The plan is to install a vertically integrated production line from the component process to the assembly of battery cells at the factory, aiming to start production in the fiscal year that ends in March 2020.

Orocobre Ltd. (OTC: OROCF) is a global lithium carbonate supplier and an established producer of boron. Recently, the company provided an update on the results of the pumping test conducted on CAU07 in the NW Sector of the Cauchari JV properties located in Jujuy Province, Argentina. The exploration program is being managed by JV partner Advantage Lithium Corp. who hold 75% of Cauchari. Orocobre owns 33% of Advantage Lithium's issued capital. Positive results from CAU07 four-step pumping test suggest rates as high as 36 l/s are achievable. Good brine chemistry with 19 samples taken over the pumping test averaging 601 mg/l Lithium and 4,853 mg/l Potassium with a Mg/Li ratio of 2.6:1. 19 brine samples were taken during the pumping test with the average concentration of 601 mg/l Lithium and 4,853 mg/l Potassium and a low Mg/Li ratio of 2.6:1. The Mg/Li ratio is very similar to that in the producing Olaroz lithium project.

Ford Motor Company announced earlier in November, the launch of its first plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of driving up to 21 miles without a drop of gas.  The Special Service Plug-In Hybrid Sedan, the first plug-in hybrid police vehicle from Ford, is designed for police and fire chiefs, detectives, and other government personnel whose jobs don't require a pursuit-rated vehicle.  "This is the first Ford police vehicle that can potentially get through an entire shift using no gasoline whatsoever," said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. "Anyone can plug this in to any wall outlet to run gas- and emissions-free on battery-only operation."  The lithium-ion battery can move the vehicle up to 21 miles on a single charge and up to 85 mph on battery power alone. Once the battery runs down, the vehicle is powered by its gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant, eliminating any concerns of range anxiety typically associated with battery-only electrics.

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