CBMM has inaugurated a groundbreaking manufacturing facility in Araxá, Brazil, dedicated to producing Echion Technologies’ XNO ultra-fast charging anode material. The plant represents the world’s largest Niobium-based anode production facility, with an annual capacity of 2,000 tons, equivalent to 1 GWh of lithium-ion cell production.
The facility marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between CBMM and Echion, enabling mass production of XNO to meet global demand. The new technology offers unique battery performance characteristics, allowing ultra-fast charging while maintaining high energy densities across extreme temperatures and delivering high power for over 10,000 charge cycles.
“The opening of this production plant creates robust supply capacity to meet the significant commercial demand we have for XNO,” said Jean de La Verpilliere, CEO of Echion Technologies. “Echion is beginning to trade at scale, and that is a major milestone for company growth.”
The XNO material is specifically engineered for electrified heavy-duty industrial, commercial, and mass-transport vehicles, promising improved productivity and lower total ownership costs.
CBMM is positioning itself strategically in the evolving battery technology market, targeting 30% of its revenue from non-steel products by 2030. The company invests 250 million Brazilian reais annually in its technology program, with a focus on developing Niobium-enhanced materials.
“We anticipate significant growth in the battery sector in the coming years,” said Ricardo Lima, CBMM’s CEO. “This inauguration is a milestone in our history, enabling CBMM to transform science into technology, and technology into business.”
The facility’s opening aligns with global trends toward decarbonization and electrification, representing a substantial step in advancing battery technology through innovative material development.
CBMM aims to reach a capacity of 20,000 tons of niobium oxide for batteries by 2030, underscoring its commitment to sustainable technological innovation.
