6K, Inc

6K has developed a microwave plasma process to produce metal powders from recycled materials primarily for additive manufacturing and energy storage. This update interview with 6K focuses on the latest activities from its additive manufacturing (AM) division, called 6K Additive.

6K has been selected as a recipient of the first set of projects funded by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand domestic manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and the electrical grid and for materials and components currently imported from other countries. The $107 million project, of which $50 million will be funded through federal share from the Department of Energy, to accelerate deployment costs for battery material production associated with 6K's investment in a full-scale battery material manufacturing plant to be built in the southeast United States.

6k Energy are the business unit within US-based 6K Inc, focused on the production of battery cathodes and materials. IDTechEx caught up with them at the Battery Show North America 2022.

6K, a leader in the sustainable production of engineered materials for lithium-ion batteries and additive manufacturing produced from its UniMelt plasma technology, announced that its 6K Energy division has signed a joint development agreement with Our Next Energy to develop and produce the critical battery material that ONE will use in their Gemini and Aries battery platforms.

6K's UniMelt system replaces a three-day, multi-step, high waste chemical co-precipitation (hydro-met) process with one that is ultra-clean and ultra-fast (as low as 2 seconds), powered by a 6000K microwave plasma. Compared to state-of-the-art CAM plants today, 6K uses half the footprint, substantially lower CapEx, and half the conversion costs or less.

6K and Our Next Energy Inc announced a partnership as ONE looks to scale up and commercialize its Gemini cell chemistry. The organization signed a letter of intent outlining how the companies will work together to significantly lower the cost and manufacturing capital required when producing this new battery material.

Albemarle Corporation and 6K announced they have signed a joint development agreement to explore the use of 6K's patented UniMelt advanced, sustainable materials production platform to develop novel lithium battery materials through potentially disruptive manufacturing processes.

IDTechEx spoke with 6K Energy, part of 6K Inc., including with Bruce Bradshaw, Chief Marketing Officer, and Dr Richard Holman, VP Battery Products. 6K have developed plasma technology for synthesising various powders.

6K have developed a microwave plasma process to produce metal powders primarily for additive manufacturing and energy storage. IDTechEx spoke with Bruce Bradshaw.