Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:12 AM on Thursday, November 28th, 2019
SPONSOR: NORTHBUD (NBUD:CSE)
Sustainable low cost, high quality cannabinoid production and
procurement focusing on both bio-pharmaceutical development and
Cannabinoid Infused Products. Learn More.
Consumers research CBD more than many other wellness trends, study finds
American consumers are researching CBD more than many other alternative health trends and products, according to a new study looking at Google searches.
Health scientists from the University of California, San Diego, Johns
Hopkins University in Baltimore and the University of York in the
United Kingdom measured U.S. Google searches that mentioned CBD and
cannabidiol from 2004 through April of this year.
The study found that while search volumes were consistent from 2004
to 2014, they began to grow significantly in 2016. Search volumes
increased year-over-year by 125.9% in 2017 and 160.4% in 2018, and they
are expected to be 117.7% higher in 2019.
In April 2019, there were 6.4 million Google searches for CBD, the
researchers wrote in an American Medical Association journal detailing
their findings.
The April 2019 searches for CBD were on par with yoga and
e-cigarettes but seven times more prevalent than acupuncture, five times
higher than apple cider vinegar and three times more than meditation.
CBD searches also outnumbered searches for:
Vaccination
Exercise
Marijuana
Veganism
Researchers broke down the results by state. Searches for CBD this
year were highest in Vermont, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Colorado, New
Hampshire and Oregon.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:06 PM on Wednesday, November 27th, 2019
SPONSOR: Iconic Minerals Ltd. ICM:TSX-V Bonnie Claire Lithium Property hosts Inferred resource of 11.8 billion pounds of lithium carbonate equivalent and has the potential to be the largest lithium resource globally. Learn More.
Better battery tech could boost EV range, speed up charging
At least if battery manufacturers can keep up with demand as electric power expands.
Battery demand is surging as conventional automakers catch EV religion
Along with US automakers, German giant Volkswagen now has a massive EV push
Ford’s first electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, arrives next year, and it shows just how far we’ve come with EVs. Mainstream carmakers like Nissan, General Motors, BMW, Hyundai, Jaguar and Porsche are filling a field that once belonged to counterculture icon Tesla. And better batteries should keep the new models coming.
At the IDTechEx conference
this week, startups showed off new battery technology that improves on
today’s lithium-ion designs. The developments increase driving range,
cut costs, extend useful lifespan, speed up charging and reduce fire
risks. That’ll continue the kind of steady progress that’s more common
in the computer industry than the car industry.
For now, the improvements are mostly in labs, and many of them won’t
arrive until well into the next decade. But they’re an important
foundation for the dreams of EV proponents, who want to see conventional
cars that belch greenhouse gases replaced by cleaner, quieter
electrics. Once passenger cars are plug-in, expect to see electric trucks, tractors, excavators, buses and even airplanes.
Burgeoning battery startups
The most important battery improvement is in energy density, the
amount of kilowatt-hours of juice that can be stored in a given mass.
That can extend range, cut battery costs and reduce vehicle weight,
which in turn improves range. Startups are racing to achieve that and
other improvements through changes to anodes, cathodes and other
components.
Enevate, an Irvine,
California-based startup whose investors include battery giant LG Chem,
expects more storage capacity and dramatically faster charging. The
company sees charging times dropping to just five minutes for a
three-quarter charge. Conventional gas stations could be converted into
“drive-through charging stations,” Executive Vice President Jarvis Tou
said.
Another, Solid Battery,
plans solid-state cells that do away with liquid elements and increase
energy density by 50%, according to Chief Executive Douglas Campbell.
His company’s approach has “the best blend of performance and
manufacturability” and boosts safety, and BMW and Ford have development
agreements with the company, he said.
Global Graphene Group
also plans to improve batteries by encasing silicon in the anode with
graphene, an exotic form of carbon sheets only one atom thick. The
result, according to CEO Bor Jang, a longtime graphene researcher, will
be batteries costing 30% less and powering EVs with a 700-mile range.
Jang expects those batteries can be fully charged in five to 15 minutes.
“The demand is going to be enormous,” IDTechEx analyst Peter Harrop said of vehicle batteries. “We keep revising our forecasts upwards.”
Battery demand is surging as conventional automakers catch EV
religion. Along with US automakers, German giant Volkswagen now has a
massive EV push. And Japan’s Toyota, taken by surprise when EV demand
grew faster than it expected, is pushing battery-powered car development and working on battery supply deals.
Electric vehicle sales should increase
from 2 million in 2018 to 10 million in 2025, BloombergNEF forecasts.
No wonder Tesla, which just announced its Cybertruck pickup on Thursday,
is working on building its own batteries.
Analyst firm IDTechEx expects electric vehicles used for
construction, agriculture and mining to outsell electric passenger cars.
IDTechEx; photo by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Rising costs could slow the spread of electric power to all sorts of
other industries, too, like construction, agriculture, mining, mass
transit and aircraft.
Battery progress will help all these new industries become greener
and quieter only if all that extra energy can be squeezed more tightly
into cells without increasing risks of fires and explosions. Lithium-ion
battery fires grounded Boeing’s early 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and there have been problems in large batteries for grid-scale energy storage because of insufficient testing, Harrop said.
“The industry is cutting corners in the race to get energy density,
faster charging and longer cycle life,” Harrop said. “The fires will
continue.”
Electric aircraft, too
Still, many companies, like French aerospace giant Airbus and US rival Boeing, believe batteries are coming.
Startup Ampaire is banking on a
hybrid aircraft that marries conventional fuel-powered engines with
battery-powered motors for propeller-powered aircraft common on
short-haul routes. They’ll be much quieter at takeoff and will cut fuel
use, a major constraint for short flights that are canceled when fuel
costs increase, said Pete Savagian, the company’s senior vice president
of engineering.
A larger scale hybrid due in 2021, the Airbus E-Fan X
prototype jet will swap out one of its four conventional jet engines
with a 2-megawatt electric motor, said Bruno Samaniego López, a power
and electrical engineering leader at the company. A new single-aisle jet
with 20MW of electrical power is planned after that, he adds.
“We are very committed to this ambitious path of electrification,”
Samaniego López said. “It is happening, and it will be the future.”
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 12:56 PM on Wednesday, November 27th, 2019
SPONSOR: Tartisan Nickel (TN:CSE)
Kenbridge Property has a measured and indicated resource of 7.14
million tonnes at 0.62% nickel, 0.33% copper. Tartisan also has
interests in Peru, including a 20 percent equity stake in Eloro
Resources and 2 percent NSR in their La Victoria property. Click her for more information
China to dominate battery metal demand
Demand trends for EV battery metals over the coming years have revealed that China will remain the key driver of direct metals demand
Direct demand for nickel, cobalt and lithium will remain the strongest in China across both the core and bearish case scenarios over the coming years.
By: Molly Hancock
Fitch Solutions’ demand trends for EV battery metals over the coming
years have revealed that China will remain the key driver of direct
metals demand.
The analysis estimates that the indirect growth for cobalt, nickel
and lithium will be the strongest across the EU under the bullish
scenario, which is underpinned by favourable policy assumptions.
However, indirect growth for these three metals will lag behind
across all scenarios in the United States, due to more restrictive EV
policy assumptions based on poor support at the federal level.
Fitch Solutions has divided the geographic demands for battery metals
into direct demand, which refers to demand from any country/region
where battery manufacturing takes place domestically and indirect
demand, which refers to demand from country/regions where EV sales make
stoke demand for batteries containing key metals that are produced.
The direct demand for nickel, cobalt and lithium will remain the
strongest in China across both the core and bearish case scenarios over
the coming years.
The Chinese Government has set ambitious EV targets and we retain a
positive outlook for China’s EV market as intensifying competition from
major vehicle brands will drive down costs and improve choice.
Despite recent subsidy cuts announced in July 2019, price reductions
among automakers and the rolling out of EV sales targets for vehicle
manufacturers will continue to position the Chinese EV market as the
most dynamic in the world.
While the demand growth for nickel, cobalt and lithium will spike in
2023-2025, Chinese carmakers’ strategies relating to EV production
targets generally end in 2025, and EV sales growth and subsequent metals
demand growth will begin to slow from 2025 onwards.
Fitch Solutions also revealed that due to the still-prevalent use of
iron-heavy LFP batteries in China, a bullish case for EV sales and
metals demand would lead to cumulative demand of 415,000 tonnes of iron
from the country over 2019-2028 compared to just 145,000 tonnes in its
bear case scenario.
Under Fitch Solutions’ bullish scenario, the EU will witness the
fastest average growth in indirect demand for cobalt (25.8 per cent
y-o-y), nickel (31 per cent y-o-y) and lithium (27.9 per cent y-o-y) up
to 2028, ahead of China and the US.
According to Fitch Solutions, the reason for this is that EU EV sales
team from a lower base in comparison to the US and China and as such
the potential for growth is higher.
For example, according to Fitch Solutions’ Autos team estimates, EV
sales will amount to over 370,000 units in 2019, compared to 458,000 in
the US and 1.252 million in China.
Within its bullish, base and bearish case scenarios, Fitch Solutions
forecast that the US indirect demand for cobalt, nickel and lithium to
average slower annual growth than in China and the EU over 2019-2028, as
a lack of supportive federal policy will pose obstacles to mass EV
adoption in the country.
In February 2019, the Trump administration announced new standards
that freeze emissions and fuel-efficiency requirements at the 2021
level, loosening previous higher targets and in contrasts to much
stricter regulations implemented by California and adopted by 12 other
states.
Its bullish case for the country assumes that future US government
policy will take a favourable turn towards the EV market, in order to
keep pace with rapidly developing EV segments in China and Europe.
The ongoing use of NCA batteries (containing nickel, cobalt and
aluminium) by Tesla in the US market means that indirect aluminium
demand will remain sustained in this market.
Cumulative indirect aluminium demand from the US EV market in our
bullish scenario will amount to 9800 tonnes over 2019-2028, compared
with to 3300 tonnes in China and 1300 tonnes in the EU.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:38 AM on Wednesday, November 27th, 2019
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(CSE: PRMO) (OTC: BUGVF) (FSE: 8BV) (DEU: 8BV) (MUN: 8BV) (STU: 8BV)
provides strategic capital to the thriving cannabis cultivation
sector through ownership and development of commercial real estate
properties. The company also offers fully built out turnkey facilities
equipped with state-of-the-art growing infrastructure to cannabis
growers and processors. Click here for more info.
WHO Report Finds No Public Health Risks Or Abuse Potential For CBD
According to a preliminary WHO report published last month, naturally occurring CBD is safe and well tolerated in humans (and animals), and is not associated with any negative public health effects [PDF].
Experts further stated that CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical found in cannabis, does not induce physical dependence and is “not associated with abuse potential.” The WHO also wrote that, unlike THC, people aren’t getting high off of CBD, either.
By: Janet Burns
A World Health Organization (WHO) report has found no adverse health
outcomes but rather several medical applications for cannabidiol, a.k.a.
CBD, despite U.S. federal policy on this cannabinoid chemical.
According to a preliminary WHO report published last month, naturally
occurring CBD is safe and well tolerated in humans (and animals), and
is not associated with any negative public health effects [PDF].
Experts further stated that CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical
found in cannabis, does not induce physical dependence and is “not
associated with abuse potential.” The WHO also wrote that, unlike THC,
people aren’t getting high off of CBD, either.
“To date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any
public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD,”
they wrote. In fact, evidence suggests that CBD mitigates the effects of
THC (whether joyous or panicky), according to this and other reports.
The authors pointed out that research has officially confirmed some positive effects of the chemical, however.
The WHO team determined that CBD has “been demonstrated as an
effective treatment for epilepsy” in adults, children, and even animals,
and that there’s “preliminary evidence” that CBD could be useful in
treating Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, psychosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other serious conditions.
The Herbal Chef CEO and Head Chef Chris Sayegh measures the dose of CBD cannabis extract as he… [+]
In acknowledgement of these kinds of discoveries in recent years, the
report continued, “Several countries have modified their national
controls to accommodate CBD as a medicinal product.”
But the U.S., the report noted, isn’t one of them.
As a cannabis component, CBD remains classified as a Schedule I
controlled substance, meaning it has a “high potential for abuse” in the
federal government’s view. Nevertheless, the “unsanctioned medical use”
of CBD is fairly common, experts found.
For many CBD users in the U.S., the substance’s mostly unsanctioned
and illegal state creates problems, especially as a wave of online
(mostly hemp) and store-bought CBD oils and extracts have allowed
patients to take the treatment process–and the risks involved in buying
unregulated medicine–into their own hands and homes.
While CBD itself is safe and found to be helpful for many users,
industry experts have warned that not all cannabis extracts are created
equally, purely, or with the same methods of extraction.
And while reports of negative reactions to pure CBD are very few and
far between, researchers are able to say that the cannabinoid wouldn’t
be to blame alone. “Reported adverse effects may be as a result of
drug-drug interactions between CBD and patients’ existing medications,”
they noted.
As the cannabis reform nonprofit NORML
reported, the WHO is currently considering changing CBD’s place in its
own drug scheduling code. In September, NORML submitted written
testimony to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposing the enactment of international restrictions on access to CBD.
The FDA, which has repeatedly declined
to update its position on cannabis products despite a large and
ever-growing body of evidence on the subject, is one of a number of
agencies that will be advising the WHO in its final review of CBD.
Perhaps this time around the FDA will listen, and learn something.
The report was presented by the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug
Dependence, and drafted under the responsibility of the WHO Secretariat,
Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products, Teams of
Innovation, Access and Use and Policy, Governance and Knowledge.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:04 PM on Tuesday, November 26th, 2019
SPONSOR: NORTHBUD (NBUD:CSE)
Sustainable low cost, high quality cannabinoid production and
procurement focusing on both bio-pharmaceutical development and
Cannabinoid Infused Products. Learn More.
Cannabis edibles preview: What to expect come mid-December
June 2019 report by Deloitte titled “Nurturing new growth: Canada gets ready for Cannabis 2.0†estimated the size of the edible and alternative cannabis product market could be “worth more than $2.5 billion a year and generate higher profits for retailers than cannabis products that are already legal.â€
Edibles are on the way.
The 60-day Health Canada review period for cannabis edibles, extracts
and topical products began counting down after the second wave of
cannabis legalization across Canada came into effect Oct. 17.
With that review period set to end in mid-December, it won’t be long
now before consumers can purchase and try all the new cannabis products
licensed retailers are set to offer.
The Toronto Sun spoke with Sarah Gillin, COO of Etobicoke-based cannabis producer Olli Brands about what they have in store for customers.
“Olli is planning on launching with a strawberry real fruit chew, a
butter cookie, a hemp crunch chocolate and five specialty tea blends —
melo green, vanilla black, misty mint, sweet chamomile and my personal
favourite, the berry bliss,†Gillin said, adding, “They will be offered
in a variety of dosing options with CBD being featured prominently in
almost all of them.â€
This combo photo (top) shows Olli brands Butter Cookie edible and (bottom) their Misty Mint cannabis tea. Supplied
Gillin explained Olli partnered with Adrian Niman, a Michelin trained executive chef from The Food Dudes, to help develop and hand prepare the company’s edible products.
Olli will also be providing specialty cannabis teas. Gillin says
Richard Guzauskas, Olli’s in-house “tea sommelier,†helps to
internationally source the ingredients.
The “Sweet Chamomile Herbal Tea†is described on Olli’s website as a
“Sweet and relaxing with an apple-honey aroma, this blend will lull you
into calm.â€
Canopy Growth Edibles and Beverages ‘Sneak Peek’ Tastings and Tours Beverages. Supplied photo jpg
Canopy Growth’s Tweed Inc. unveiled
its line of 13 expected cannabis-infused beverages in late October. The
low dosage “distilled cannabis†beverages are geared towards being
consumed as a social beverage — with 10 designed to provide you with 2.5
mg of THC (Health Canada permits 10 mg per package).
Aurora Cannabis Inc., a
Canadian owned licensed producer of medical and consumer cannabis gave
eager edible consumers a sneak peek at a line of vapes they are working
on last month as well.
They will come in three formats: a disposable vape pen, premium vape
pen pods, and a pen with a universal cartridge system equipped with a
rechargeable battery. They will be available for purchase on both the
medical and consumer cannabis markets.
It’s worth noting, however, the U.S. Center for Disease Control identified vitamin E acetate as a “chemical of concern†among e-cigarette and vape users.
As of Nov. 20, 2019, the CDC stated there have been “2,290 cases of
e-cigarette, or vaping product use†associated with lung injuries. The
CDC recommends “people should not use THC-containing e-cigarette or
vaping products, particularly from informal sources like friends, or
family, or in-person or online dealers.â€
Meanwhile, a June 2019 report by Deloitte
titled “Nurturing new growth: Canada gets ready for Cannabis 2.0â€
estimated the size of the edible and alternative cannabis product market
could be “worth more than $2.5 billion a year and generate higher
profits for retailers than cannabis products that are already legal.â€
“The edibles market alone is estimated to be worth at least $1.6
billion a year in Canada, with cannabis-infused beverages adding a
further $529 million,†said Jennifer Lee, a partner and Deloitte
Canada’s Cannabis National Leader.
Given the estimated size of the market, “It was not an easy choice,â€
Gillin said of choosing which edibles and alternative cannabis products
to produce.
The review period has generally been frustrating for consumers.
Gillin said the 60 days has been “inconvenient†but also “necessary†to ensure †the safety of consumers.â€
Cannabis edibles will be available in mid-December. Chocolate
Hemp Crunch, left, and Olli brands Strawberry Fruit Chews are two such
products you will be able to get your hands on. Supplied
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 2:55 PM on Tuesday, November 26th, 2019
SPONSOR: New Age Metals Inc. The company owns one of North America’s largest primary platinum group metals deposit in Sudbury, Canada. Updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate 2,867,000 PdEq Measured and Indicated Ounces, with an additional 1,059,000 PdEq Ounces in the Inferred. Learn More.
Investor demand to create deficit in platinum market in 2019 – WPIC
In its Platinum Quarterly report for the third quarter, the WPIC
updated its supply and demand forecast for the year and released its
initial estimates for 2020
Because of strong demand for exchange-traded products the platinum’s
expected surplus of 345,000 ounces is projected to fall into a 30,000
ounce deficit
(Kitco News) –
Unprecedented investment demand has helped to transform the platinum
market, shifting what was expected to be a surplus market into a small
deficit, according to the latest data from the World Platinum Investment
Council (WPIC).
In its Platinum Quarterly report for the third quarter, the WPIC
updated its supply and demand forecast for the year and released its
initial estimates for 2020. Because of strong demand for exchange-traded
products the platinum’s expected surplus of 345,000 ounces is projected
to fall into a 30,000 ounce deficit.
“The substantial 12% increase in total demand is driven by record ETF
buying, which more than offsets expected demand decreases in the
automotive (-5%), jewelry (-6%) and industrial (-1%) segments and total
supply growth of 2% for full-year 2019,†the WPIC said in a press
release.
According to the report, funds investment demand has driven
platinum-backed ETF holding to one million ounces so far this year; “the
highest seen since physically backed platinum ETFs were launched in
2007,†the report said.
“This ETF buying by large institutional investors, who typically take
2 to 3 year views and positions, reflect the value opportunity they
see; driven by future demand growth potential and constrained supply,”
the WPIC said.
Looking ahead, the council said that they are forecasting a surplus
of 670,000 ounces next year, reflecting a 1% increase in supply and a
10% decrease in demand.
However, Trevor Raymond, director of research with the council, said
that the estimates are fairly conservative and it wouldn’t take much to
push the market back into neutral territory. Raymond added that he
expects investor demand to remain strong.
“You only need two or three funds to increase their platinum holding
to see a repeat of this year,†he said. “The fact that investment demand
has turned the market around so quickly should not be ignored.â€
Along with investment demand, Raymond said that their estimates also
don’t include substitute projections and rising diesel vehicle demand.
With palladium expected to see its ninth consecutive year of supply
deficits, Raymond said that substitution remains an important topic
within the PGM market. He added that he suspects that auto companies are
already using cheaper platinum instead of palladium.
“I think we will start to see signs of substitution within the next 12 to 18 months,†he said.
Raymond added that a bottoming in the European diesel auto market would also be a positive sign for platinum.
“Every 4% increase in market share in the European auto market equals
roughly 100,000 ounces of platinum,†he said. “Auto companies
substituting 4% of the palladium for platinum would equal about 400,000
ounces. If a few factors come together next year the market can easily
become balanced again.â€
As for platinum jewelry demand, which has declined 6% so far this
year, Raymond said that stable higher prices could ignite renewed
interest, especially in China and India, as those markets continue to
deal with near-record high gold prices.
And they operate in isolation the U.S. and Canada and so while the Canadian market continues to develop, you can also play and get investment exposure into the U.S. story as well.
Ruth Saldanha: Cannabis stocks in Canada have been a
bit of a roller coaster recently. After a dramatic drop earlier this
month, the stocks have somewhat recovered but are still trading below
our fair value estimates. Is now a buying opportunity? Morningstar
Analyst, Kristoffer Inton covers cannabis and is here today to talk
about his views.
Kris, thank you so much for being here today.
Kristoffer Inton: Thank you for having me.
Saldanha: What’s going on with Canadian cannabis? Is the distribution the main culprit here?
Inton: Yeah, I think that’s one of the primary
causes of what’s going on in Canadian distribution. I think also a part
of it is investor expectations. So, I think people forget, this is a
growth industry. These are all very early stage stocks. And when we look
at where we are in terms of the growth cycle, we’ve only just past one
year of recreational legalization. On top of that when you look at how
Canada has been doing in terms of its rollout, you look at its two
biggest provinces, Ontario and Quebec. They’ve really underperformed
relative to expectations in terms of opening dispensaries. So, to us,
it’s a little combination of slower than expected government rollout
limiting demand growth and investor expectations for growth and even
more so profitability a little too soon.
Saldanha: So, should Canadians consider investing in
established U.S. retail players while we still wait for the market here
to develop a bit more.
Inton: Yeah, I would definitely say so. I think that in our view, the U.S. is going to be the biggest and the best cannabis market in the world.
And they operate in isolation the U.S. and Canada and so while the
Canadian market continues to develop, you can also play and get
investment exposure into the U.S. story as well. And because the U.S.
distribution rollout has been a little bit smoother, it looks like
growth and profitability are coming to American companies before it has
come to for the Canadian companies.
Saldanha: After the recent drop in prices is now a buying opportunity for Canadian cannabis.
Inton: Definitely, I think that it definitely
warrants a long-term view. In the near term, it’s not going to take
overnight to open enough stores to get distribution right and to get the
products lined up. So, it won’t happen in the next quarter or so. But
if an investor is patient and willing to wait, they’ll be able to get
exposure to a long runway of growth.
Inton: So, we recommend two Canadian picks. We like Aurora Cannabis (ACB) and we like Canopy Growth (WEED),
really for two different reasons. Aurora Cannabis has largely been
focused on production. And it shows their gross margins are the highest
amongst the Canadian cannabis companies we cover. And we like Canopy
Growth because we think that with the partnership with Constellation
Brands, they’re really focused on developing downstream infused consumer
products. With Cannabis 2.0 hitting Canada later this year and into
next year, we think that Canopy is well exposed to being able to enjoy
growth from that.
Saldanha: Thank you so much for being with us today, Kris.
Tags: Cannabis, CSE, Hemp, Marijuana, stocks, tsx, tsx-v, weed Posted in All Recent Posts, Empower Clinics Inc. | Comments Off on Empower Clinics $CBDT.ca – Canadian #Cannabis 2.0 is on its way and the U.S. is set to be the “biggest and the best cannabis market in the world” $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $OGI.ca
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:01 PM on Monday, November 25th, 2019
While Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery
performance, high performance Silicon anodes are not presently
commercially feasible due to high manufacturing costs. Specifically,
two major issues have been identified as major impediments to commercial
feasibility;
1. The cost of the high purity Silicon feed material needed
2. The cost of transforming Silicon into Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries
HPQ Silicon and Pyrogenesis might have the solution…
Combining the HPQ PUREVAP™Quartz Reduction Reactor
technology with PyroGenesis Plasma Atomization knowhow to manufacture
Nanoscale Structure Silicon powders, could potentially resolve these 2
issues and lead the way to full commercialization of Nanoscale Structure
Silicon Powders. If successful, that should subsequently lead to their
wide scale adoption in the battery space.
If this occurs it would go without saying, HPQ and PyroGenesis would be well positioned to assume a market leading role.
Grab your favourite beverage and watch this interview with HPQ CEO Bernard Tourillon.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 3:33 PM on Monday, November 25th, 2019
SPONSOR: Tartisan Nickel (TN:CSE)
Kenbridge Property has a measured and indicated resource of 7.14
million tonnes at 0.62% nickel, 0.33% copper. Tartisan also has
interests in Peru, including a 20 percent equity stake in Eloro
Resources and 2 percent NSR in their La Victoria property. Click her for more information
Nickel prices seen driven by Indonesia export ban, auto industry demand — Fitch Solutions
NICKEL prices are expected to gradually increase between 2020 and 2022 due to tight supply as a result of the export ban imposed by Indonesia, the mineral’s top producer, and the growing demand from the automotive industry, Fitch Solutions Macro Research said.
“While prices could still head lower in the coming weeks, we believe that they will rebound from spot levels as we move into 2020 and remain elevated throughout next year, buoyed by a tight fundamental picture,†Fitch Solutions said in its Commodity Price Forecast published on Nov. 22.
In 2020, it projects average nickel prices of $15,000 per ton,
upgrading a previous estimate of $14,500. This is expected to increase
to $15,500 in 2021 and 2022, then easing to $15,250 in 2023.
Fitch noted that the increase in price will be influenced by Indonesia’s nickel export ban starting January.
“In the longer term, we believe that prices will continue heading
higher up until 2022 as the market will remain in deficit or balanced,â€
it said, and added that the ban could also limit refining activity in
China next year. Chinese refining output is now expected to grow an
average of 2.5% year-on-year, down from 3% projected for 2019.
However, supply concerns due to the ban have started to dissolve due
to a realization that the Philippines could fill part of the gap as
suspended mines resume their operations.
The United States Geological Survey noted in a report published
February that Indonesia produced 560,000 tons of nickel last year,
making it the top producer, followed by the Philippines with 340,000
tons.
The Philippine Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said that in the
first half of the year, nickel ore production increased 3% to 11.306
million dry metric tons (DMT).
Nickel prices will also be influenced by demand from the automotive
industry, a major user of stainless steel, which is the main application
for nickel. Automotive demand will come into greater prominence amid an
expected slowdown in the Chinese construction industry.
“Vehicle production will continue to record positive average annual
growth of 1.0% over 2020-2028, lending some support to nickel demand.
Other major nickel-consuming markets such as South Korea and India will
also provide an upside to demand due to strong average vehicle
production growth of 9.1% and 11.4%, respectively, over the next 10
years,†Fitch Solutions said.
The booming electric vehicle market will also drive demand for
nickel, with most of the demand coming from China for the production of
lithium-ion batteries. China is expected to expand the minimum range of
vehicles eligible for subsidies to 150 kilometers (km) from 100 km. This
will increase demand for nickel since longer-range electric vehicles
need higher nickel content in their batteries.
“We forecast China to witness average EV sales growth of 10.9%
year-on-year over 2019-2028, which will drive global electric vehicle
sales growth and lead to an additional nickel demand during the period,â€
Fitch Solutions said. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 25th, 2019
SPONSOR: Iconic Minerals Ltd.
ICM:TSX-V Bonnie Claire Lithium Property hosts Inferred resource of
11.8 billion pounds of lithium carbonate equivalent and has the
potential to be the largest lithium resource globally. Learn More.
Lithium Ion Battery Market Growth Factors, Demand and Trends Forecast
In recent years, the growth in the industrial automation has been highly eye-catching
This has been particularly beneficial for the development of the global lithium ion battery market for the application of material handling equipment
Global lithium ion battery market is driven by the growing penetration of smartphones, tablets, PCs, power tools, and digital cameras
Also witnessing an increase from the flourishing automobile industry
Lithium ion batteries are a type of rechargeable batteries that have
high energy density. These batteries have a very wide range of
application. However, primarily these lithium ion batteries are used in
portable devices and equipment. The global lithium ion battery market is
expected to witness a considerable growth over the course of the given
forecast period with a considerable rise in the use of tablets, PC,
smartphones, digital camera, and other power tools. These batteries have
gained immense popularity in recent years, especially in the automobile
production sector as they provide a solid alternative to the nickel
metal batteries that are primarily used in manufacturing of electric
cars. Another reason for their growing use is because of their light
weight and small size that make them an ideal fit for a wide range of
applications.
In recent years, the growth in the industrial automation has been
highly eye-catching. This has been particularly beneficial for the
development of the global lithium ion battery market for the application
of material handling equipment. Over the years, several technological
advancements have brought considerable growth in the material handling
equipment sector. Some of the highly popular material handling equipment
are automated guided vehicles, intralogistics systems, industrial
trucks, and elevating equipment. Interestingly, all of these machine
handling equipment are battery operated. With lithium ion’s stronger
energy density, long lasting power, compact size, and light weight,
these batteries are the most preferred option to be fitted across the
equipment. Naturally, this has helped in the development of the global
lithium ion battery market.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that have high
energy density and are used extensively in portable equipment. The
global lithium ion battery market is driven by the growing penetration
of smartphones, tablets, PCs, power tools, and digital cameras. The
demand for Li-ion batteries is also witnessing an increase from the
flourishing automobile industry. The demand for electric vehicles is
increasing and with it, the demand for lithium ion batteries. The
popularity of these batteries is increasing among automobile
manufacturers as they are small in size and light in weight as compared
to nickel metal batteries.
The lithium ion battery market is greatly fragmented with a large
number of domestic players. These domestic players are accounting for a
high share in the lithium ion battery market. There are small, medium,
and large scale players in the industry and this is the reason behind
the extreme competitive environment within the global lithium-ion
battery market. The introduction of innovative and new technologies will
help with the growth of the market. Many players are also investing in
research and development and this will trigger increased competition
among existing players. Product launches are a key strategy adopted by
players in the industry. The lithium ion battery market players are also
adopting the strategy of mergers and acquisitions so as to gain
competitive edge and increase their customer base.
Global Lithium Ion Battery Market: Overview
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries, in which lithium
ions move from positive electrode to negative electrode during charging
and back when discharging. These batteries are commonly used in consumer
electronics. They make use of an intercalated lithium compound as an
electrode material, compared to the metallic lithium used in
a non-rechargeable lithium battery. Besides that, their popularity is
growing rapidly across sectors such as military, automotive, aerospace,
and industrial.
Global Lithium Ion Battery Market: Key Trends
The various advantages offered by lithium ion batteries such as
lightweight, rechargeable, environment-friendliness, high energy
density, and no memory effect are boosting their adoption in
smartphones, tablets, and automobiles. Hence, the proliferation of
smartphones and tablets is providing a fillip to the global lithium ion
battery market. Moreover, the escalating need for efficient and green
solutions for power supply and energy storage is augmenting the market.
Traditional batteries such as nickel-metal-hybrid, lead-acid, and
sodium-sulfur have hazardous effects on the environment. In addition,
the rising production of hybrid electric vehicles and electrical
vehicles is creating a staggering volume of demand for these batteries
in the automotive sector.
On the flip side, the higher cost of lithium ion batteries as
compared to traditional batteries is limiting their widespread adoption.
Furthermore, the risk of overheating and a subsequent fire associated
with these batteries can pose a major threat to cars and other
electronic devices, which in turn is restricting the lithium ion battery
market from realizing its utmost potential.
Global Lithium Ion Battery Market: Market Potential
Several players in the global lithium-ion battery market are aiming
at expanding their lithium ion battery facilities to enhance their
visibility in the market. A case in point is Utility San Diego Gas and
Electric (SDG&E) and AES Energy Storage, a subsidiary of Automotive
Energy Supply Corporation, which in February 2017, inaugurated their new
energy storage facility in Escondido, California, which they claim to
be the world’s largest lithium-ion battery energy storage site. The
capacity of this system is 30MW/120MWh and has the ability to store
energy for the equivalent of 20,000 customers for four hours. Such steps
taken by players are likely to scale up energy storage capacity and
drive the market over the coming years.
Global Lithium Ion Battery Market: Regional Outlook
The segments covered in the lithium ion battery market report on the
basis of geography are Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America,
Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to
represent a sizeable share in the market throughout the review period.
The domicile of a large number of key manufacturers is providing an edge
to the region over other regions. Countries such as India, China,
Singapore, Australia, and Japan will be sights of high growth in APAC.
The growth of the lithium ion battery market in these countries can be
attributed to the increasing regulations to reduce the carbon footprint
and lead pollution.
North America will be a prominent lithium ion battery market during
the same period. The increasing sales of electric vehicles along with
the burgeoning demand for high-quality consumer electronics products are
contributing to the growth of the region.
Global Lithium Ion Battery Market: Competitive Landscape
The global lithium ion battery market is highly consolidated in
nature. Strict regulatory framework for the manufacturing of
conventional batteries is attracting new players to invest in the
market. The influx of new manufacturers is likely to make this market
fragmented over the coming years. However, prominent players offer stiff
competition to new entrants due to their competitive advantage in their
terms of strong foothold and easy access to raw materials.
Research and development activities are expected to be the top
priority for the majority of players to increase their shares in the
market. Some of the key companies operating in the global lithium ion
battery market are LG Chemical Power, Johnson Controls, Hitachi
Chemical, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, and AESC.
