French Mining Group Eramet Signs Manganese Ore Supply Agreement with Coatings Company Vibrantz for Manganese-Based Battery Technology

French mining group Eramet and US chemical coatings company Vibrantz Technologies signed a 10-year supply agreement for manganese ore in late 2023. Manganese ore is an important raw material for Vibrantz to produce lithium-ion batteries.

Eramet's manganese ore will be mined from its mines in Gabon, Central Africa. The agreement builds on a 20-year partnership between the two companies, with Eramet aiming to create a solid and reliable feedstock route for Vibrantz to manufacture manganese sulfate for use in automotive batteries.

Christel Bories, Chairman and CEO of Eramet, said: “This agreement confirms Eramet's ability to satisfy customers and earn the trust of its partners by delivering high-quality ore. With our high-quality metal deposits, such as the manganese mine in Gabon, the lithium mine in Argentina, and the nickel and cobalt mine in Weda Bay, Indonesia. We believe we have the ability to become a responsible key player in the battery value chain."

Vibrantz recently announced the construction of a battery-grade high-purity manganese sulfate (HPMSM) pilot processing plant at its facility in Tampico, Mexico. The company is a leader in specialty minerals and chemical additives for batteries and electronic components. Company CEO Michael Wilson commented: “As we continue to advance as a premier supplier of specialty chemicals and materials to the sustainability space, we greatly value our enduring relationship with Eramet. This agreement enables Vibrantz to leverage the two companies' 50 years of combined expertise in manganese chemicals to bring environmentally friendly new energy vehicles to millions of consumers. "

Wilson further said that Vibrantz's recent high-purity manganese sulfate (HPMSM) capacity investment has received positive market recognition from battery producers and automotive original equipment manufacturers.