General Motors invests in Quebec company Lithion

North American automakers began designing their supply chain for the production of electric vehicles. Raw materials as well as finished products, the biggest players in the industry are embarking on more massive and strategic investments than the others, and General Motors today goes further in this direction. An investment, the value of which is unknown, in theQuebec company Lithionjust materialized.

From “Serpusarians” to raw materials

Lithion specializes in the recycling and processing of lithium-iIon type batteries. It would be good to remember that lithium-ion type batteries power almost all of our daily electronic devices: smart phones, electronic tablets, computers or even electric cars.

Using complex processes, it transforms old batteries into sulphate, lithium and graphite. Following the separation of these components, these are purified and refined to the highest degree. These already refined materials are then sent (sold) to companies specializing in the design and manufacture of individual cells. As an indication, a battery, also known as a module, is composed of multiple individual module cells, and a set of cells constitutes a module.

In order to obtain the same quantities of raw materials, the transformation process of used batteries, which results in sulphate, lithium and graphite, carried out by Lithion emits 75% less greenhouse gases than traditional processes. mining. As for water, Lithion reduces the amount used by 90%, again compared to mining.

How will General Motors come out on top?

The manufacturer is more specifically interested in Lithion in order to validate the extent of the materials that are recovered by the Quebec company, with a view to acquiring them in the near future as part of the manufacture of new batteries.

The manufacturer is particularly interested in Lithion in order to validate the materials recovered by the Quebec company with a view to their acquisition, which would result in particular in the manufacture of new batteries.

Then, GM also wants to establish a joint relationship with Lithion in research and development. This is to ensure Lithion’s ability to recycle future batteries that may not have the same characteristics as today.

Jeff Morrison, Vice President of Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors, further clarified the automaker’s interest in establishing a business relationship with Lithion. Lithium, we see an opportunity to recover and reuse the raw material in our Ultium battery modules, making the EVs we produce even more durable and helping to reduce costs. »