Battery materials manufacturer Thakadu Battery Materials has announced the launch of IXS-PurePlus, a new nickel sulphate product developed for companies that require cleaner chemistry, tighter impurity control and improved performance in use.

The company says this follows the successful commissioning of a new solvent extraction circuit at its existing battery-grade nickel refinery, which it operates within multinational mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater’s base metal refinery in South Africa.

This plant beneficiates crude nickel sulphate feed from Sibanye-Stillwater's base metal refinery into higher-value nickel sulphate products for export.

“This is a story about innovation and tenacity. Together with Sibanye-Stillwater, we are showing how Africa can add value to critical metals at source.

“IXS-PurePlus is a proud milestone for our team and an exciting product for our customers,” says Thakadu CEO Ruli Diseko.

The partnership highlights the importance of local beneficiation in creating value beyond the mining of raw materials.

“This is an important example of the role beneficiation can play in unlocking greater value from South Africa's rich mineral endowment. Thakadu’s operation converts nickel-bearing feed into a premium, battery-grade product that is supplied to global markets.

“We are very pleased that our partnership with Thakadu creates greater value from our resources while supporting the development of resilient and diversified supply chains for the energy transition,” says Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Dr Richard Stewart.

He adds that IXS-PurePlus has been designed for customers that manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems and advanced industrial technology applications, where reliability, sustainability and precision are critical.

Thakadu notes that this launch comes as global customers place greater emphasis on secure, diversified and responsibly produced critical minerals supply chains and as nickel markets become more sensitive to supply concentration, changing Indonesian ore policy, reagent availability and processing capacity.

In this environment, the company concludes that the reliable production of “ultrapure” nickel sulphate will be important for customers seeking cleaner chemistry, responsible production and greater security of supply.