Thakadu launches IXS-PurePlus Nickel Sulphate Thakadu Battery Materials has launched IXS-PurePlus, a new ultra-pure
streams and build globally relevant critical-metals processing
nickel sulphate product developed for customers who require cleaner chemistry, tighter impurity control and improved performance in use. The product follows the successful commissioning of a new solvent extraction circuit, integrated into Thakadu’s existing nickel refinery. The upgrade creates Thakadu’s enhanced IXS process flow, delivering nickel sulphate with ultra-low magnesium and best in class purity. IXS-PurePlus has been designed for customers making batteries for electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems and advanced industrial technology applications, where reliability, sustainability and precision are critical. For customers, IXS-PurePlus offers a stronger technical proposition and better value in downstream processing. For partners, suppliers and investors, it demonstrates Thakadu’s
infrastructure in Africa. Thakadu operates Africa’s only battery-grade nickel sulphate refinery. Located within Sibanye- Stillwater’s base metal refinery in South Africa, the plant beneficiates crude nickel sulphate feed from Sibanye-Stillwater’s base metal refinery into higher-value nickel sulphate products for export. “This is a story about innovation and tenacity,” said Ruli Diseko, CEO of Thakadu Battery Materials. “Together with Sibanye- Stillwater, we are showing how Africa can add value to critical metals at source.
Thakadu Battery Materials has launched IXS-PurePlus, a new ultra-pure nickel sulphate product.
IXS-PurePlus is a proud milestone for our team and an exciting product for our customers.” Since entering commercial production in 2021, the Thakadu Refinery has shipped more than 50 000 tonnes of nickel sulphate, together with significant cobalt volumes, to customers across Asia, Europe, the United States and South America. n levels and promote long-term plant productivity. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, which can cause water pollution and soil degradation, soft rock phosphate is a natural product that supports sustainable farming practices. Its on-demand properties minimise the risk of nutrient leaching into water bodies, helping to protect precious natural resources. Kropz plans to increase Nanophos production capacity at its Elandsfontein site in the Western Cape to 180 000 tons per year. Nanophos is unique in South Africa with its phosphate, calcium and silica content in nanoparticle fractions. It is expected to sell at a price 50% lower than mono ammonium phosphate (MAP). Says Kropz CEO Louis Loubser: “It is a South African product that is natural and organic with multiple benefits for the farmers, for crops and ultimately for the consumer. It will have better pricing than the substitute. It has no known negative impacts on human health or on the natural environment. And its mining and production will bring employment that would otherwise not exist.” n
ability to improve product quality, increase value from existing feed
New era for South African agriculture
The entrance into the Nanophos market by phosphate miner and producer Kropz promises to herald a new era for South Africa’s agricultural community. The company believes that Nanophos has the prospect to be a significant contributor to the phosphate market in South Africa
and provide a much-needed solution to the needs of South African farming communities. Nanophos is a natural sedimentary soft rock phosphate, rich in phosphate minerals, calcium and silica, used as an on-demand organic fertiliser to improve soil phosphate
Nanophos has the prospect to be a significant contributor to the phosphate market in South Africa.
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