The metals refining company behind the new development claims to also be eco-friendly.
Mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), a nickel product vital to EV battery development, is going to be produced in the U.S. for the first time by Massachusetts metals refining company Nth Cycle, according to a report by *electrek* published on Thursday.
Megan O’Connor, cofounder and CEO of Nth Cycle, said about the development: “We can economically and efficiently solve a key supply chain challenge for EV OEMs and battery manufacturers by offering MHP produced from our unique electro-extraction platform.”
“And as we continue to decarbonize the grid and electrify transportation, it’s more important than ever that our refining processes are environmentally sound and labor practices are safe. Our MHP product ensures both,” she added.
## The Inflation Reduction Act
Currently, the U.S. has the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which offers a $7,500 tax credit to electric vehicles. However, to qualify, a proportion of the electric car’s battery minerals must be extracted or processed in either the U.S. or its free-trade partner countries.
Up to now, most MHP has been produced in Indonesia, which isn’t a U.S. free trade partner, making the source of the product IRA ineligible.
In addition, the MHP produced in Indonesia is not of the best quality. It features low concentrations of nickel and cobalt (30−40 percent nickel and only 1–10 percent cobalt).
Nth Cycle, on the other hand, claims it will produce an MHP product consisting of over 90 percent of nickel-cobalt hydroxide. The firm is also eco-friendly.
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