Echion Technologies partners with MACA, a global contractor pioneering new technologies in mining



The leading supplier of niobium battery anode materials, Echion Technologies (Echion), and global contracting group in the resource and construction sectors, MACA, have entered into a partnership. This agreement, underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), lays the foundation for MACA to access Echion’s state-of-the-art battery technology, utilising niobium-based XNO® anode materials.

XNO® anode materials unlock unique capabilities in lithium-ion batteries used in heavy duty electric vehicles, including: ultra-fast charging, high energy density, long-cycle life and high performance in extreme environments. Echion will work to develop the battery specifications and requirements for use in MACA’s applications, and leverage Echion’s battery supply chain partners to provide XNO®-equipped batteries.

Ben Ting, Chief Commercial Officer at Echion, said: “We are delighted to have signed the MoU with our partner, MACA. I was very impressed by the pioneering spirit of the organisation and its track record in deploying innovative new technologies into existing mining contracts. Echion’s anode material, XNO®, has the attributes required to meet the needs of heavy duty industrial electric vehicles and we are excited to be working towards developing battery packs and eventually, vehicles that are powered by XNO®. While this is just the first step in our journey together, we believe that our new partnership can make significant inroads into the mass electrification of heavy-duty mining and construction vehicles.”

David Greig, Group Executive of MACA, said: “We are committed to being at the forefront of innovative technologies which have the power to advance our journey towards sustainability and decarbonisation. This partnership with Echion further establishes MACA as a business driving change through new ways of working, as we set our sights on the potential benefits of XNO® for our fleet of heavy-duty vehicles.”  

Echion’s niobium based XNO® anode material uniquely unlocks ultra-fast-charging capabilities for lithium-ion batteries used in heavy duty vehicles required in construction, mining and other industries. Lithium-ion batteries powered by XNO® can safely charge in less than 10 minutes, maintain high energy densities even at low temperatures, and deliver high power across a cycle life of more than 10,000 cycles.

Find out more about Echion’s XNO® battery materials at https://www.echiontech.com/ and MACA’s services and expertise at https://maca.net.au/.

ENDS

For more information, please contact David Hartley at david.hartley@consciouscomms.com, or on 01223 421834.

Photo caption: Shane Clarke - MACA (left), Ben Ting – Echion Technologies (centre) and Ludmila Souza – MACA (right) Commencing the Partnership

About Echion Technologies

After 6 years of development, Echion (Cambridge, UK) is proud to launch its XNO® anode materials, now available at scale to cell manufacturers looking to build Li-ion cells with market-leading safety, cycle-life, and fast-charging capabilities. Echion XNO® materials are based on proprietary mixed niobium oxide compositions and microparticle designs protected by 13 international patent families and are now being scaled-up to the multi-thousand tons/year production scale.

Our differentiated technology helps cell manufacturers gain a technical and commercial advantage in high-value, fast-growing markets where end-users require the safety, low total cost of ownership, and unique performance mix offered by our XNO® anode materials. This includes industrial and commercial e-mobility markets: rail, marine, AGVs, mining trucks and other off-highway vehicles, opportunity-charging e-buses and other high-utilisation EV fleets. Our materials also provide a unique value proposition for the micro-battery market and specific applications for the ESS, motorsports, and medical, markets.

About MACA

MACA is an Australian founded contracting group servicing the resources and construction industries for over 20 years. With a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals, MACA delivers operational expertise and equipment tailored to suit the needs of clients and end-users.

MACA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thiess Group Holdings Pty Ltd.