[Ferro-Alloys.com] Firebird Completes Equipment Commissioning for Advanced LMR Cathode Active Materials

 Highlights

Firebird has received, installed and commissioned its proprietary cathode active materials (CAM) equipment at its wholly owned China pilot plant, to produce advanced lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) CAM.

LMR CAM production scheduled for February 2026, with customer samples planned for H2 2026 to support ongoing technical engagement, evaluation and qualification programs.

Firebird’s LMR development program is being co-funded by strategic partner Taza Metal Technologies (Taza), which has committed to fund 50% of the LMR research and development activities, further de-risking Firebird’s capital outlay.

LMR CAM targets materially higher energy density than conventional LFP, with performance characteristics comparable to certain high-nickel cathode chemistries, while substantially reducing nickel and cobalt content through high manganese substitution (≥50% Mn) using high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM).

Firebird has established a world-leading, integrated pathway from manganese concentrate through HPMSM to LMFP, LMR and NCM CAM, which will be demonstrated at its Australian Demonstration Plant (ADP) in 2026.

The ADP will provide a world-first capability to produce and demonstrate LMR, NCM and LMFP CAM within a single integrated facility.

Manganese Battery Market Update

Major OEMs, including Ford and GM, have announced plans to commercialise LMR cathodes for next-generation EVs by 2030, while LMFP adoption continues to grow across EV and ESS markets.

Beyond EVs, LMR development is being accelerated by emerging high-energy applications, including eVTOL aircraft and humanoid robotics.

Firebird CEO, Mr Ron Mitchell, commented:

“Commissioning our LMR cathode active material equipment is a key milestone in delivering Firebird’s ore?to?cathode strategy and validating our integrated pathway from manganese concentrate through HPMSM to advanced CAM products. This program positions us to demonstrate the production of high?energy, manganese?rich cathode materials that can reduce reliance on nickel and cobalt while meeting the performance, safety and cost requirements of next?generation EV and energy storage markets. Deploying this process at our Australian Demonstration Plant in 2026 will allow us to showcase LMR, NCM and LMFP CAM in a single facility and deepen engagement with global customers seeking secure, sustainable supply of advanced battery materials.”

Further to the Company’s ASX announcements dated 30 July 2025 and 3 September 2025 Australian-owned Firebird Metals Limited (ASX: FRB, Firebird or the Company) is pleased to provide the following update on the installation and commissioning of cathode active material (CAM) equipment for the production of advanced lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) cathode materials at its wholly owned China pilot plant. The Company has completed commissioning activities, with initial LMR CAM production scheduled to commence in February 2026 and customer sampling planned for the second half of 2026 to support ongoing technical engagement, evaluation and qualification programs.

This development represents a key milestone in advancing Firebird’s vertically integrated, ore-to-cathode strategy, underpinned by a world-leading processing pathway from manganese concentrate through high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) to LMFP, LMR and NCM CAM. Firebird’s proprietary synthesis know-how, energy-efficient process design and high-efficiency kiln platform position the Company to deliver manganese-rich cathode materials that offer the potential for materially higher energy density than conventional LFP, while significantly reducing reliance on nickel and cobalt.

As previously announced on 3 September 2025, Firebird’s LMR development program is being co-funded by strategic partner Taza, which has committed to fund 50% of the LMR research and development activities. Taza is one of only three companies outside China currently producing HPMSM and this co-funding structure materially reduces Firebird’s capital exposure while accelerating the advancement and validation of its LMR technology platform, and reflects growing external interest in manganese-rich cathode chemistries.

Momentum for manganese-rich cathodes continues to build globally, driven by demand for safer, lower-cost and higher-performance battery chemistries across electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) markets. In parallel, Firebird is progressing plans to deploy and demonstrate this equipment set and synthesis process at its Australian Demonstration Plant (ADP) in 2026, which is intended to provide a world-first capability to produce and demonstrate LMR, NCM and LMFP CAM within a single integrated facility.

Why LMR Matters

LMR cathode technology is widely anticipated to deliver a range of performance, cost and supply-chain advantages relative to conventional lithium-ion cathode chemistries, supporting growing interest from OEMs and battery manufacturers.

Higher energy density potential: LMR cathodes may deliver higher energy density than LFP, with performance characteristics comparable to certain high-nickel systems, while using materially less nickel and cobalt.

More resilient raw material mix: Higher content manganese substitution can reduce exposure to constrained and higher-risk nickel/cobalt supply chains, aligning with OEM de-risking and ESG objectives.

Safety profile: Manganese-rich cathodes are generally associated with improved thermal stability relative to high-nickel chemistries, supporting suitability for EV and ESS applications.

Manufacturing compatibility: LMR can be produced through evolutionary changes to established cathode manufacturing processes, supporting faster adoption without new cell architectures.

Rapid technical progress: Advances in doping, surface coatings, particle engineering and electrolyte optimisation are improving historical challenges such as cycle life and voltage retention.

Clear market fit: LMR is well suited to cost-sensitive EV platforms and grid-scale storage, positioning it between LFP and high-nickel chemistries across cost, performance and safety.

• [Editor:tianyawei]