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JordProxa Africa awarded Crystalliser Supply Order by Manganese Metal Company for High Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate (HPMSM)
Johannesburg, South Africa – February 12, 2025
JordProxa Africa is proud to announce its selection by Manganese Metal Company (MMC) for the supply of a Crystalliser Plant to produce battery grade HPMSM in Mbombela, South Africa.
This important milestone between the two well established South African companies, follows engagements spanning the past few years and an intensive collaborative effort including extensive laboratory test work and conceptual engineering over the past 9 months.
MMC is an advocator of the numerous benefits of increased manganese content in multiple battery chemistries coupled with the development of a local South African capability in HPMSM. MMC has been producing high purity manganese metal for more than 50 years and partnering with JordProxa Africa with similar experience within the crystallisation industry forges together a world-class, experienced and competent team centred in the “Home Country of Manganese”. South Africa is the world’s largest producer of manganese ore and this HPMSM plant will contribute to increased local beneficiation.
Crystallisation technology is integral to producing high-purity, battery-grade manganese sulphate monohydrate to meet the very stringent quality and purity requirements of lithium-ion batteries for the growing electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy sectors.
JordProxa will leverage over 300 global references in diverse crystallisation and evaporation applications in conjunction with MMC’s unique expertise in purified feed solution preparation to deliver the first project on the route to development of a future HPMSM hub in South Africa.
“This collaboration underscores our capability to innovate and adapt our technological solutions to the needs of our customers, to test and validate 50 years’ of technology offerings in our R&D facility and hone them to new and challenging applications,” said Chris Wortley, Sales Director, JordProxa Africa. “We are excited to contribute to a project which will substantially change the global HPMSM supply chain outside of China and ultimately contribute to diversified and resilient critical material sourcing,” said Johan Liebenberg, Managing Director, JordProxa Africa.
“The Crystallisation Plant is a key enabler for MMC to expand our customer base in the lithium-ion battery segment and grow South Africa’s participation in the global energy transition. By adding HPMSM to the product basket of our works in Mbombela, we can leverage our existing footprint, strong brand and global expertise to ensure market access in a short time,” said Louis Nel, CEO, MMC. “By partnering with JordProxa Africa, we recognise their experience in complex crystallisation as a local and accessible group and look forward to an ongoing relationship. The current Crystallisation Plant is only Step 1!”
About JordProxa
JordProxa provides cost effective, state of the art evaporation, crystallisation and drying plant solutions with current focus on the rapidly emerging, high purity battery chemicals market. Services span the full project lifecycle; from laboratory testwork, conceptual development through to design, construct, commissioning and plant operations support.
About MMC
Manganese Metal Company (MMC) stands as a global leader in the production and export of refined, high-purity manganese products. Based in Mbombela, South Africa, and operating since 1974, MMC caters to a diverse client base across 20 countries, supplying products crucial for various high-grade materials including special steel, aluminium can stock and battery active materials for EVs (electric vehicles). MMC is the world’s only non-Chinese producer of high-purity manganese metal and the largest producer of selenium-free manganese metal (99.9% Mn). MMC's commitment to safety, quality, and sustainability is reflected in our leading ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) performance, making us a trusted partner in the industry.
JordProxa and Vulcan Partner for Phase One of ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ Project
JordProxa and Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH (Vulcan) and have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the technology and process components for the Lithium Extraction and Central Lithium Plants of Vulcan’s Phase One integrated renewable energy and ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ Project (the Project).
The partnership between Vulcan and JordProxa as the selected technology partner is geared toward the joint objective of delivering Vulcan’s Phase One Project on time with improved cost performance and optimisation for the lithium process portion of the project development.
Leveraging JordProxa’s expertise in providing solutions for producing high purity battery grade products by integrating crystallisation, evaporation, water treatment technologies, the intent of the MoU is to enhance project processes and production, streamline delivery times, and optimise Vulcan’s project costs. Additionally, this MoU will facilitate early engagement with Vulcan’s EPCM contractor and the Main Electrical and Automation Contractor to clarify scope definition, boundary limits, design principles, standards, and interfaces. Design optimisation will be achieved by integrating JordProxa’s experience and utilising the capability, data and knowledge from Vulcan’s current pilot and optimisation plants.
Working closely with Vulcan’s team in Germany, JordProxa will optimise the design basis and develop pricing proposals, project execution plans, and an interface management plan.
Beyond project completion, JordProxa’s commitment is intended to extend to operational support and continuous performance improvement initiatives throughout the plant’s lifecycle. This long-term commitment would ensure that Vulcan can rely on JordProxa’s support and expertise even after the Project is completed.
Vulcan MD and CEO, Cris Moreno stated, “I’m confident this MoU marks the beginning of a promising long-term partnership between Vulcan and JordProxa. We are delighted to join forces with JordProxa to deliver cutting-edge water processing, crystallisation and evaporation systems for Phase One of our integrated renewable energy and ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ Project and beyond, underscoring our mutual dedication to innovation and sustainability.”
Director of JordProxa, Angus Holden stated, “Vulcan’s ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ Project offers a breakthrough opportunity in sustainable lithium production. JordProxa’s MoU with Vulcan enables our joint teams to work as partners towards the common goal of sustainable lithium. We look forward to supporting Vulcan in realising this milestone project”.
JordProxa, is a leader in custom end-to-end battery minerals processing, crystallisation and evaporation plant and systems, playing a key role in meeting the challenges of high purity, sustainability, and value to meet the increasing demand for lithium-ion and other battery metals. JordProxa has over 250 project references globally including major battery grade projects for blue chip clients in Finland, Australia, Latin America and Canada.
Upon completion of the MoU scope, Vulcan and JordProxa aim to advance towards a definitive agreement for the execution of Vulcan’s Phase One Lithium Extraction and Central Lithium Plants of the ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ and Renewable Energy Project.
About Vulcan
Founded in 2018, Vulcan’s purpose is to empower a carbon neutral future, through the co-production of lithium, heat and renewable energy from geothermal brine. Vulcan is focused on delivering the world’s first integrated renewable energy and ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ Project. By adapting existing technologies to efficiently extract lithium from geothermal brine, Vulcan aims to deliver a local source of sustainable lithium for Europe, built around a carbon neutral strategy with exclusion of fossil fuels. Already an operational renewable energy producer, Vulcan will also provide renewable electricity and heat to local communities. Vulcan’s combined geothermal energy and lithium resource is the largest in Europe, with licence areas focused on the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany. Strategically placed in the heart of the European electric vehicle market to decarbonise the supply chain, Vulcan is rapidly advancing the ZERO CARBON LITHIUM™ Project to target timely market entry, with the ability to expand to meet the unprecedented demand that is building in the European markets. Guided by our Values of Climate Champion, Determined and Inspiring, and united by a passion for the environment and leveraging scientific solutions, Vulcan has a unique, world leading scientific and commercial team in the fields of lithium chemicals and geothermal renewable energy. Vulcan is committed to partnering with organisations that share its decarbonisation ambitions and has binding lithium offtake agreements with some of the largest cathode, battery, and automakers in the world. As a motivated disruptor, Vulcan aims to leverage its multidisciplinary expert team, leading geothermal technology and position in the European EV supply chain to be a global leader in producing carbon neutral lithium. Vulcan aims to be the largest, most preferred, strategic supplier of lithium chemicals and renewable power and heating from Europe, for Europe; to empower a carbon neutral future.
About JordProxa
JordProxa delivers custom engineered solutions to produce a wide range of ultra-pure battery chemicals by integrating advanced water treatment, evaporation and crystallization technologies. Our experience, spanning over 45 years in diverse industries enables us to offer cost effective and robust solutions that incorporate the latest advances in technology.
Head quartered in Sydney, Australia, JordProxa operates throughout Europe, North & South America, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. It offers the complete range of capabilities and services from project inception to completion, including R&D, testing, on-going operational support and aftermarket support.
Through on-going research and development, both in-house and through tertiary academic and research institutions, the company is able to continuously meet and exceed the ever-increasing purity needs of lithium-ion batteries and other energy metals,
We leverage an established network of fabrication alliances and decades of experience with modular plant design. This allows us to deliver key plant assemblies that are extensively tested and proven in the workshop before they are dispatched and installed on site. This helps us optimise project delivery time whilst minimising the project risk.
For any enquiries, please contact Nipen Shah on +61 2 8425 1500 or email info@jordproxa.com
JordProxa delivers crystallisation plants for global battery metal producers
Australia based JordProxa Pty Ltd has recently delivered crystallisation plants for two major battery metal producers, solidifying its position in the growing new energy market.
JordProxa designed, fabricated and dispatched several large-scale orders to site, including an evaporator and two crystallisation plants to lithium producer Albemarle in Western Australia, and nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and ammonium sulphate crystallisation plants to Terrafame in Finland. The modular plants are now being installed in Western Australia and installation is underway on site in Finland with the last modules in transit.
JordProxa Managing Director John Warner says the rapid uptake of electric vehicles has led to a surge in demand for battery chemicals and associated technologies.
“Battery chemical producers need a technology provider that can meet and exceed the demands of product purity, with a focus on continued process improvement, to keep up with changing product specifications,” said Dr Warner.
“JordProxa understands the process fundamentals that influence product quality through evaporation and crystallisation. We combine the project delivery skills and global footprint of Jord and Proxa and are perfectly positioned to deliver state of the art plant solutions for ultrapure battery chemicals at large tonnage scales.”
“We leverage an established network of fabrication alliances and modular design capabilities. This allows us to deliver key assemblies that are tested in the workshop before they are dispatched and installed on site. Our aim is to optimise project delivery time while minimising project risk.”
Jord International CEO Angus Holden says he is pleased the group is demonstrating its technical and operational expertise in the new energy market.
“Our track record over 50 years of business demonstrates that we can successfully design and build reliable plants with tangible process benefits.”
“In 2019, we delivered a nickel sulfate crystallisation plant to BHP Nickel West. This important crystalliser work from JordProxa delivers on our goal of supporting clean energy technologies and is generating a new long-term, sustainable revenue stream. It has helped our group achieve a record revenue for the 2020 financial year, aided by other new areas of business including enhanced minerals beneficiation and topside modules for offshore gas fields.”
For more information contact:
Kerry Corben, JordProxa
Email: kcorben@jord.com.au