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Cadoux Ltd (ASX:CCM), a rising critical minerals developer, has announced a groundbreaking achievement within the European Gen3 Lithium-Ion Battery (LiB) development consortium SAFELOOP, where it serves as a key partner. The SAFELOOP consortium has successfully validated battery performance using recycled materials enhanced by Cadoux's proprietary nanoparticle premiumHPA®, marking what is considered the world's first qualification of fully recycled active materials in large-format lithium-ion battery cells. This milestone is a crucial commercial de-risking step for Cadoux as SAFELOOP's primary commercial partner ASPİLSAN begins preparations for factory-scale production of 18650 cylindrical battery cells.
Key Points
- Cadoux Ltd (ASX:CCM) is an emerging critical minerals developer focused on high purity alumina (HPA) and rare earth minerals production for global electrification markets
- The SAFELOOP consortium reached two major development milestones in battery cell advancement, integrating Cadoux's proprietary premiumHPA® as a performance-enhancing additive
- Battery cells maintained approximately 85% capacity after over 1,000 charge cycles, achieving the first known qualification of fully recycled active materials in large-format lithium-ion battery cells
- ASPİLSAN, SAFELOOP's main commercial partner, is initiating design and preparation for gigafactory-scale production of 18650 cylindrical cells using premiumHPA®, likely the world's first gigafactory to incorporate recycled active materials within a circular battery supply chain
- The validation confirms that Cadoux's advanced HPA technologies are compatible with industrial battery manufacturing processes
SAFELOOP Consortium Reaches Dual Milestones Integrating Recycled Materials in Battery Development
The SAFELOOP consortium has achieved significant milestones advancing battery technologies from research and development through validation to advanced demonstration stages. This progression is essential for commercial success in large-scale lithium-ion battery manufacturing. The validation phase confirmed that performance, safety, and reliability targets are consistently met under real-world conditions, following earlier foundational work on materials, cell designs, and manufacturing processes during initial development.
The two major industry milestones include successful qualification and testing of commercial-format cells, which retained about 85% capacity after over 1,000 charge cycles, and the first known qualification of fully recycled active materials—including cathode, electrode, and electrolyte—in large-format lithium-ion battery cells. The integration of these recycled materials alongside Cadoux's premiumHPA® demonstrates a positive impact across the battery value chain, from material synthesis and pilot-scale validation to gigafactory-level cylindrical cell manufacturing, advanced module construction, and final deployment in electric vehicles.
Enhancing Recycled Battery Materials with Cadoux's premiumHPA®
Cadoux's proprietary nanoparticle premiumHPA® has been incorporated into the SAFELOOP battery development program to boost the performance of recycled active materials. The company's high purity alumina technology has shown exceptional compatibility with battery manufacturing, being used across the separator, anode, and cathode in 18650 cylindrical cells. Following recent bench-top qualification, the successful use of premiumHPA® in SAFELOOP's cell production offers valuable technical validation with leading European battery manufacturers.
This integration marks a significant technical achievement, confirming the material's suitability for high-performance battery applications. Pilot-scale tests by SAFELOOP's commercial partners confirm these advanced materials can be processed using established manufacturing methods, paving the way for gigafactory-scale production. This validation supports Cadoux's positioning for future commercial adoption as global gigafactory capacity expands, demonstrating compatibility of its advanced HPA technologies with industrial battery manufacturing and their ability to meet high-performance battery demands.
ASPİLSAN Advances Factory-Scale Production for Circular Battery Supply Chain
SAFELOOP's main commercial partner, ASPİLSAN, has started design and preparation for factory-scale production of 18650 cylindrical cells utilizing Cadoux's premiumHPA® across separator, anode, and cathode components. This initiative is believed to be the world’s first gigafactory manufacturing facility to incorporate recycled active materials within a circular battery supply chain, representing a major innovation in battery production methods. The move from pilot-scale validation to factory-scale preparation highlights the commercial viability and industrial readiness of the technology.
This transition represents a key commercial de-risking milestone for Cadoux. Pilot-scale testwork has confirmed that advanced materials with premiumHPA® can be processed using established manufacturing techniques, enabling ASPİLSAN to proceed with scaled production preparations. This progress aligns with global trends toward decarbonization and expanding electric vehicle battery production capacity.
Cadoux’s Strategic Role in Europe’s EV Battery Supply Chain
Cadoux is establishing itself as a supplier to Europe’s rapidly growing electric vehicle battery supply chain through its participation in SAFELOOP and technical validation of its HPA products with leading European manufacturers. The company’s premiumHPA® technology has been successfully demonstrated in industrial battery production settings, laying a technical foundation for future customer engagement and commercial opportunities. This positioning within a vital segment of the global EV battery supply chain aligns with Cadoux’s broader strategy to leverage advanced materials for high-tech applications.
The SAFELOOP validation confirms that Cadoux’s advanced HPA technologies are compatible with industrial-scale battery manufacturing. As the project advances toward gigafactory-scale production, Cadoux is well placed to use this technical validation to support customer engagement, product qualification, and commercial growth. The consortium’s work provides credible evidence of readiness and manufacturing compatibility to bolster Cadoux’s sales and commercialization efforts amid growing demand driven by expanding global electric vehicle production.
Cadoux’s Comprehensive Critical Minerals Strategy and Market Positioning
Cadoux Limited is an emerging critical minerals developer focusing on two essential materials for global electrification: high purity alumina (HPA) and rare earth minerals used in rare earth magnets. The company aims to enhance long-term shareholder value while ensuring project sustainability through strong economics and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Both Cadoux’s HPA and Minhub projects align with Australia’s critical minerals policy by supplying essential minerals and creating sovereign value-added supply chains for strategic materials.
High purity alumina is increasingly preferred for high-tech products due to its unique properties and chemical stability. Key markets include LEDs and sapphire glass products, with the electric vehicle and stationary energy storage sectors driving long-term HPA growth. In battery applications, HPA improves power, functionality, and safety as a separator between anode and cathode in high-performance batteries. The battery HPA market is projected to grow over 33% annually, according to company-cited compound annual growth rate forecasts. Cadoux has developed an innovative production process enabling integrated HPA production up to 99.999% (5N) purity at economically sustainable costs, demonstrated via a pilot plant and extensive market research.
From Pilot Plant to Commercial Scale: Cadoux’s Development Roadmap
Cadoux is advancing its HPA strategy through a phased development approach, starting with a 1,000 tonne per annum small-scale production facility in Western Australia, followed by a 10,000 tonne per annum full-scale commercial plant. The strategy has secured support from both State and Federal governments, with Cadoux uniquely holding Western Australian lead agency status and Federal Major Project Status. This backing reflects recognition of the company’s strategic importance to Australia’s industrial policy.
The successful demonstration of premiumHPA® in SAFELOOP’s battery program provides critical technical validation supporting the commercial case for Cadoux’s planned production facilities. The progression from bench-top qualification to pilot-scale validation and industrial-scale production preparation progressively de-risks the technology and market adoption. Government support and major project status affirm alignment with national objectives for critical minerals supply chain development and value-added manufacturing in Australia.
Minhub Project and Rare Earths Processing Development in Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, Cadoux is developing the Minhub Project, featuring mineral separation and rare earth processing facilities in Darwin. Operating under a commercial framework, Minhub aims to process third-party mineral concentrates, establishing a new supply chain for Australia’s emerging rare earths and mineral sands sectors. This complements Cadoux’s HPA strategy by adding rare earth element production essential for electrification markets, including permanent magnets for electric vehicle motors.
The Minhub Project reflects Cadoux’s strategy to build vertically integrated capabilities across multiple critical minerals value chains vital for global electrification. By developing both HPA and rare earth processing, Cadoux positions itself as a significant producer in both markets to capitalize on growing demand in high-tech industries. The Darwin facility will process mineral concentrates from third parties, creating a sovereign supply chain for Australia’s rare earths and mineral sands industries while supporting global decarbonization efforts.
Commercial De-Risking and Future Market Growth Prospects
The SAFELOOP milestone marks a significant commercial de-risking event for Cadoux, validating the technical readiness and industrial compatibility of premiumHPA® for scaled battery manufacturing. Integration into commercial-format cells with sustained performance over extended charge cycles evidences product suitability for demanding battery applications. This technical validation with leading European manufacturers establishes a foundation for future commercial adoption amid expanding global gigafactory capacity to meet rising electric vehicle production.
Cadoux’s strengthened position for customer engagement and product qualification follows SAFELOOP’s successful validation. As the consortium advances toward gigafactory-scale production, Cadoux possesses credible evidence of technical compatibility and performance enhancement to support global sales discussions. This achievement aligns with significant worldwide investment in battery manufacturing and supply chain development to facilitate large-scale electric vehicle production. Upcoming milestones include ongoing SAFELOOP progression toward commercial gigafactory output and Cadoux’s own development of production-scale HPA facilities to meet customer demand.
