Firebird Metals installs cathode production equipment to complete ‘ore-to-cathode’ laboratory pathway

Firebird Metals Ltd (ASX:FRB, OTC:FRBMF) Ltd is breaking new ground in its research and development capabilities with the installation of additional cathode production equipment at its laboratory in Jinshi, Hunan Province, China.

The new equipment will enable fully integrated ‘ore-to-cathode’ LMFP (lithium manganese iron phosphate) production at lab scale.

Firebird managing director Peter Allen said: “The newly installed equipment enables Firebird to complete fully integrated, lab-scale production from ore to cathode, clearly setting the company apart from its peers.

"This advancement places Firebird in a unique position – seamlessly combining manganese sulphate production with the MFP pCAM process. To our knowledge, no other company has achieved this level of vertical integration at lab scale.

"Our rapid progress is a testament to the commitment and ingenuity of our team and partners, who continue to drive innovation and accelerate our path toward becoming a leading player in manganese-based chemical production.”

The newly commissioned equipment can produce up to 10 kilograms of LMFP cathode active material (CAM) per day, which will support sample provision for multiple potential partners.

While cathode testing and button cell manufacturing will remain with third-party laboratories, the new in-house setup allows Firebird to conduct the entire production process internally – from manganese ore to cathode material.

Strategic collaboration with CSU

This milestone forms part of Firebird’s strategic partnership with Central South University (CSU) in Hunan, signed in October 2024.

Under the collaboration, the company will produce 100 batches of LMFP CAM using co-precipitation methods.

Each batch will be fabricated into button cells for comprehensive performance testing – providing valuable data for prospective cell manufacturing partners.

CSU is recognised globally for its innovation in battery materials and its alumni network includes industry leaders behind global battery firms such as BYD and Ronbay Technology.

Firebird’s unique process retains manganese sulphate in solution, bypassing the need for sulphate crystallisation – one of the most cost-intensive steps in traditional manganese sulphate production.

"Critically, our process bypasses the manganese sulphate crystallisation stage – the most cost-intensive component of traditional production,” Allen said.

“This streamlined approach not only reduces operating costs but also delivers a superior LMFP product, strengthening our position as a low-cost, high-quality supplier of advanced cathode materials.

"With a sector-leading technical team and a clear growth strategy, Firebird is well-positioned to generate strong stakeholder value through scalable, innovative technologies that support the global shift toward manganese-rich battery chemistries.”

Scalable battery material production

The company’s vertically integrated strategy supports its ambition to become a leading supplier of low-cost, high-purity manganese sulphate for LMFP batteries – a chemistry gaining traction among electric vehicle manufacturers.

Firebird’s broader portfolio includes the flagship Oakover Project in Western Australia’s East Pilbara region, which hosts a JORC-compliant mineral resource of 176.7 million tonnes at 9.9% manganese.

Across its projects, the company is targeting long-term sustainable value and growth through responsible development practices and technological innovation.