Page 173 - CW E-Magazine (7-11-2023)

News from Abroad

share, valuing the firm at an equity value which the firm says has the potential to Australia’s Foreign Investment Review
of A$1.63-bn ($1-bn). The deal also be among the biggest lithium projects Board, as well as a favourable share-
represents a 44.3% premium to Azure’s in the world. holder vote. Azure said one of its big-
last closing price of A$2.44. Azure’s gest shareholders, Germany’s Delphi
board said it unanimously supports “Whilst we firmly believe that And- Group, has agreed to vote in favour of
the transaction, and recommended that over has the potential to be a major lith- the SQM deal.
shareholders vote in its favour. ium project, there is significant time,
cost and risk associated with develop- Azure had previously rejected a
The deal comes amid increasing ing a project of this scale… the Board takeover bid from SQM that valued the
interest in Australia’s lithium industry, believes that the transaction provides firm at A$901-mn.
as global demand for the metal heats Azure shareholders with a compelling
up with the rising popularity of electric opportunity to de-risk their investment,” SQM is also partnering with
vehicles (EVs). Lithium is a key com- Azure Managing Director, Mr. Tony Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers
ponent in the batteries used in EVs. Rovira, said in a statement. Ltd. to build a A$1.9-bn lithium hydro-
xide project in Western Australia. The
Azure controls a 60% stake in the The transaction is still contingent Chilean firm had earlier this year bought
Andover Lithium project in West Pilbara, on SQM obtaining approval from a 19.9% stake in Azure.

INNOVATION
TANAKA develops first high-entropy alloy powder

comprised entirely of precious metals

TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K., duction process and will provide sam- Unlike conventional nano-order
a core company of the TANAKA Pre- ples in October. precious metal high-entropy alloys,
cious Metals Group, has developed a the new alloy is stable due to its large
high-entropy alloy powder composed TANAKA established the five pre- crystallite size, and it satisfies the
entirely of precious metals with a fine cious metal alloy powders and their inherent requirements of alloys, such
particle size of 10-μm or less, high production methods, and obtained a as improved mechanical strength,
crystallinity and excellent composi- basic patent in June 2023. ThW alloy corrosion resistance, and controlled
tion uniformity. This is the world’s first powder comprises only five elements thermal expansion. The new alloy
high-entropy alloy powder composed that maintain the corrosion resistance, powder is expected to improve the
entirely of five precious metals: plati- electrical conductivity and other excel- functions and properties of precious
num (Pt), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir), lent properties of precious metals. They metal alloys, whose properties vary
ruthenium (Ru), and rhodium (Rh). are micro-order alloy powders that are greatly depending on the composition
TANAKA has established a mass pro- easy to use in industrial applications. ratio of the alloy.
LITHIUM ION BATTERIES

Orion launches high-quality conductive additive

Orion S.A., a global specialty furnace technology in Europe and a percolating network that enables the
chemicals company, has announced eventually in Asia, marks a crucial electrons to flow. This enhances the
the launch of Printex kappa 10 – a expansion of Orion’s portfolio of con- performance and power response
high-quality conductive additive that ductive additives. The company also during both charging and discharging.
will supply surging demand from pro- makes other kappa grades with the
ducers of lithium-ion batteries for elec- acetylene process. The conductive additive works for
tric vehicles, energy storage systems both anode and cathode. It is also com-
and consumer applications. The additive facilitates a more patible with lithium-ferrous-phosphate
efficient transfer of electrical energy (LFP) batteries, nickel-manganese-
The new product, produced with within lithium-ion batteries. It forms cobalt (NMC) and other batteries.

Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 173

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