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Operating in the field of battery technologies, Ni-CAT received investment under the leadership of KT Portfolio

Ni-Cat, which designs nickel-based new-generation cathode material production solutions developed with artificial intelligence for electric vehicle batteries, is transforming its previously established pilot production facility into a factory with the support of Lonca GSYF managed by KT Portfolio and co-investors.

Ni-CAT, operating in Technopark Izmir, continues to work on the production of cathode materials to be used in Li-ion batteries with a new investment from Lonca GSYF, which is the founder and manager of Kuveyt Turk’s 100% subsidiary KT Portfolio, and other co-investors. The company reached an annual production capacity of 3 tons in the pilot facility it established, and made its first export to its US-based customer.

Ni-CAT has recently been awarded the “Seal of Excellence” with its project submitted to the acceleration program of the European Innovation Council (EIC). With the support of Ni-CAT, Lonca GDP and co-investors, Ni-CAT is transforming its pilot production facility into a factory.

Ni-CAT aims to shorten the process of improving cathode materials and developing new formulations with the solution it offers using the artificial intelligence-assisted synthesis method. For this purpose, Ni-CAT, which has created its own data pool, aims to produce the most suitable formulation ordered by its customers with the methods suggested by artificial intelligence. Being able to offer formulation alternatives for the production of high-performance, cost-effective and durable products according to demand plays an important role in the preference of Ni-CAT.

“We started factory feasibility studies to increase production”

Ni-CAT Founding Partner Emre Yusuf Gol said, “We established the Ni-CAT company in 2020 with Engin Karabudak and Ahmet Aytekin, by formalizing the development of nickel-based new-generation cathode materials that we started as an academic activity in 2018. Over the years, we have been working intensively on the R&D and production of cathode materials with high nickel content for Li-ion batteries in order to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles and to use them in new-generation energy storage systems. Current global developments clearly show that being in the position of a cathode material supplier and manufacturer will be of great importance both nationally and internationally. Developing technologies in the field of sustainable mobility are generally based on electric energy, but the transition to electric vehicles is not happening as fast as the market expects. The most important limitation here is related to the performance and costs of the batteries. It is the cathode materials that determine these two criteria. More than 50% of the cost of an electric vehicle is the battery cost. Cathode materials account for more than 50% of the battery cost. The cathode production method is important because the cathode materials directly affect the battery performance. What makes Ni-CAT different here is that it has the equipment and experience to quickly produce tailor-made, new cathode materials for the needs of its customers. In addition, after the investment, we purchased advanced analyzers and established a full-scale battery prototyping and testing center. In addition, we started the factory feasibility studies in order to increase the production capacity in line with our targets.”

“We will continue to invest in the technologies of the future”

Hamit Kutuk, General Manager of KT Portfolio, said, “We think that electric vehicle technologies, which entered the agenda of Turkiye with TOGG, will be the new method of sustainable transportation in many respects. Range is still the most important issue that needs to be developed for transportation solutions that have started to be called smart devices instead of cars. In these vehicles, the battery stands out as the biggest cost factor. Those who can develop batteries that can reduce these costs and increase performance will stand out in the race. In this area, which we consider strategically important, Ni-CAT makes a great contribution to both its customers and our country with its competent staff and effective solutions. As KT Portfolio, we will continue to invest in future technologies such as Ni-CAT, which operates in the field of sustainability.”

Source: Egirisim / Translated by Irem Yildiz

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