New Zealand-based startup CarbonScape is pioneering a sustainable solution for the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry by transforming woodchips into a unique form of graphite called biographite. Biographite by CarbonScape can charge EV batteries and is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional synthetic graphite production. Produced through thermo-catalytic technology it includes various benefits like carbon-negative biochar anodes, continuous and fast production, faster charging, higher capacity, high purity, superior quality, and tested cell performance.

CarbonScape, a New Zealand-based startup utilizes woodchips to produce synthetic graphite, which has the potential to be used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Through pyrolysis, a process in which waste from timber production is heated, CarbonScape produces an alternative graphite called biochar. This carbon-rich material is then milled and converted into raw graphite, offering a more environmentally friendly choice, according to the company. Synthetic graphite production, which includes fossil fuels, results in environmental degradation. Whereas non-renewable fossil carbon found on Earth is the source of natural graphite.

Ivan Williams, CEO of CarbonScape said in a statement, “Our mission is to decarbonize the battery industry. That solves some other problems, too, including localizing supply chains.”

Biographite by CarbonScape can charge EV batteries
Pic Credits: Ivan Williams LinkedIn

CarbonScape’s innovative and patented thermo-catalytic technology revolutionizes the conversion of amorphous carbon found in biomass into remarkable battery-grade biographite. This process guarantees a consistently superior quality of biographite anode material, customized to possess an unparalleled combination of properties. Moreover, this method significantly reduces both the time and expense required, in stark contrast to conventional synthetic graphite processes.

Developing a sustainable source of battery materials is crucial for reducing dependence on Chinese-made EV batteries in Western nations. However, there are critics who question the feasibility of CarbonScape’s concept, citing the excessive use of woodchips and the comparative lack of cost-efficiency when compared to graphite. Officials in both the United States and the European Union consider graphite to be a crucial mineral, and they are actively seeking ways to promote and expand domestic mining production.

Also See: The Role of Wood Recycling in Achieving Net-Zero Goal

Benefits of Biographite

CarbonScape produces biographite to meet global demand sustainably. Their unique approach combines the flawless quality of natural graphite with a reliable production process.

1. Carbon-Negative Biochar Anode

Using forest and timber industry by-products as feedstock, CO₂ is stored in the biomass. The biographite production process releases a small amount of CO₂, but it is much less than what is removed, resulting in the world’s only net negative biographite anode.

2. Continuous and Fast Production

CarbonScape technology allows for fast and continuous production of biographite, which can be readily available to feed the growing anode demand in Europe and North America without emissions and long supply chains.

3. Faster Charging & Higher capacity

Its special microstructure enables fast movement of lithium ions, resulting in superior fast charge capacity (>60% capacity retention at 2C) compared to natural graphite. CarbonScape’s biographite anode has higher capacity than synthetic graphite (>360 mAh/g) due to its high levels of crystallinity.

4. High Level of Purity

The CarbonScape process is eco-friendly and uses low temperatures to create a high-quality biographite. It has a purity level of over 99.95% carbon, with impurities present in very low amounts, below 50 parts per million.

5. Superior Quality

CarbonScape creates consistent biographite by overcoming natural biomass variations. Unlike mined fossil graphite and traditional synthetic graphite, the biographite has large, high-quality crystallites without steric limitations.

6. Tested Cell Performance

CarbonScape’s biographite anode performs well in real-world, multi-layer cells, including those with LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC) and LiCoO2 (LCO) cathodes. It meets all specifications for electric vehicles (EVs) and other markets. The cells have maintained their capacity even after hundreds of cycles at 25⁰ C and 45⁰ C, and it is tested that biographite by CarbonScape can charge EV batteries.

https://twitter.com/CarbonScape/status/1734489052529803658?s=20

About CarbonScape

The company aims to replace climate-damaging graphite with sustainable biographite. Until now, the sourcing of graphite for lithium-ion batteries, which are essential components in EVs, smart technology, and household appliances, has been greatly overlooked. But the initiative of Charging EV batteries with biographite by CarbonScape has been a turning point.

CarbonScape excels in eight specific areas related to the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UNSDG), which guides their business sustainability efforts.

  • #7 Affordable and clean energy.
  • #13 Climate change.
  • #8 Decent work and economic growth.
  • #9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure.
  • #15 Life on land.
  • Partnerships for the goals.
  • #12 Responsible consumption and production.
  • #11 Sustainable cities and communities.

About CarbonScape Biographite

The advanced pilot facility showcases the essential processes for the large-scale production of CarbonScape biographite. The team of experts conducts thorough quality control analysis on every core processing step, offering vital scale-up data for biographite production globally. Moreover, this is complemented by off-site vendor testing and collaboration with third-party engineering partners.

CarbonScape’s facilities have received certification for their location, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to maintaining exceptional standards in environmental quality, safety, and health.

Facilities and equipment needed in product development are as follows:

  • Biographite anode processing capabilities
  • Continuous milling
  • High temperature atmospheric controlled furnaces
  • Precision mixing equipment
  • Purification plant
  • Spheroidising and coating

Advanced quality control and analytics capabilities encompass powder and slurry processing, coating, drying, pressing, and more.

Source: Could ‘green’ graphite made from wood chips loosen China’s grip on battery energy storage?

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Elliot is a passionate environmentalist and blogger who has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about conservation, green energy, and renewable energy. With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference.

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