Latest news with #JorfLasfar
Zawya
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Sino-Moroccan COBCO begins producing EV battery materials
Sino-Moroccan company COBCO said on Wednesday it had begun production at a plant for lithium-ion battery components in Jorf Lasfar, 125 kilometres (78 miles) south of Casablanca. COBCO is a joint venture between Moroccan investment fund Al Mada and CNGR Advanced Materials, a battery materials producer. Morocco's proximity to Europe, automotive industry, free trade deals, and available phosphates and cobalt make it attractive to Chinese EV battery makers. In a first phase, the plant will produce two key components for lithium-ion batteries: nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and precursor cathodes (pCAM), COBCO said in a statement. The materials will be produced from nickel, cobalt and manganese, which are key components for EV batteries and stationary energy storage, it said. Ultimately, the $2 billion plant targets an annual capacity equivalent to 70 gigawatt-hours, enough to equip one million vehicles, a source close to the project told Reuters. The plant aims to reach an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of NMC precursors and 60,000 tonnes of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes. The LFP cathodes production will start "as soon as a regional LFP battery ecosystem emerges," the company said. COBCO's plant marks a first production start in Morocco's push to be a hub for the EV battery supply chain, as it seeks to adapt its automotive sector to EV industry requirements. Sino-European EV battery maker Gotion High Tech is building Africa's first gigafactory in Morocco, for a total investment of $6.5 billion, with production expected in the third quarter of 2026. Chinese auto battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom announced last year plans to set up two separate plants near Tangier, which would produce key EV battery ingredients: copper and anodes respectively. Chinese electric battery maker BTR New Material Group is also planning to produce key component cathodes in Tangier. Morocco is home to Stellantis and Renault vehicle production plants, and reported a 6.3% increase in automotive sector exports to a record 157 billion dirhams ($17 billion) in 2024, according to official figures. (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi Editing by Mark Potter)
Reuters
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Sino-Moroccan COBCO begins producing EV battery materials
RABAT, June 25 (Reuters) - Sino-Moroccan company COBCO said on Wednesday it had begun production at a plant for lithium-ion battery components in Jorf Lasfar, 125 kilometres (78 miles) south of Casablanca. COBCO is a joint venture between Moroccan investment fund Al Mada and CNGR Advanced Materials, a battery materials producer. Morocco's proximity to Europe, automotive industry, free trade deals, and available phosphates and cobalt make it attractive to Chinese EV battery makers. In a first phase, the plant will produce two key components for lithium-ion batteries: nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and precursor cathodes (pCAM), COBCO said in a statement. The materials will be produced from nickel, cobalt and manganese, which are key components for EV batteries and stationary energy storage, it said. Ultimately, the $2 billion plant targets an annual capacity equivalent to 70 gigawatt-hours, enough to equip one million vehicles, a source close to the project told Reuters. The plant aims to reach an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of NMC precursors and 60,000 tonnes of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cathodes. The LFP cathodes production will start "as soon as a regional LFP battery ecosystem emerges," the company said. COBCO's plant marks a first production start in Morocco's push to be a hub for the EV battery supply chain, as it seeks to adapt its automotive sector to EV industry requirements. Sino-European EV battery maker Gotion High Tech is building Africa's first gigafactory in Morocco, for a total investment of $6.5 billion, with production expected in the third quarter of 2026. Chinese auto battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom announced last year plans to set up two separate plants near Tangier, which would produce key EV battery ingredients: copper and anodes respectively. Chinese electric battery maker BTR New Material Group is also planning to produce key component cathodes in Tangier. Morocco is home to Stellantis ( opens new tab and Renault ( opens new tab vehicle production plants, and reported a 6.3% increase in automotive sector exports to a record 157 billion dirhams ($17 billion) in 2024, according to official figures.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
CRC Evans wins second contract on crucial Moroccan water pipeline project
CRC Evans (CRCE), a leader in welding, welding technology, and coating services, has won a major contract renewal to provide project management and pipeline welding services for a transformational water pipeline project in Morocco. State-owned OCP Group is constructing a 219-km water pipeline to transport desalinated water from its facilities in Jorf Lasfar on the Atlantic coast to its operations in Khouribga as part of an initiative to combat water shortages in Morocco. The win is the second on the project for UK-headquartered CRCE and was awarded following successful completion of work on the first phase of the project in 2024, when it worked with local contractors to complete 4,000 welds on a 72km stretch of 52' diameter pipe. In the new phase, the company will project manage welding on 150km of steel water pipeline. Consisting of 56' and 40' diameter pipes, with around 12,000 welds, the full spread of CRCE equipment will include its internal welding machine and P-625 dual torch external welding equipment. CRCE will also provide manual tie-in welding solutions, along with specialist welding technicians, to the project. 'We're very pleased to have secured a new contract for this project on the back of work carried out to date; it confirms our client's confidence to continue to work with them on such a fantastic project, which will bring huge benefits to the local population," said Henk DeGraaf, Onshore Director, CRC Evans. 'Shortage of water is a major problem in Morocco, and this pipeline will provide desalinated water for fertilizer production, agriculture and industrial community projects, freeing up pressure on local water resources." Steven Mackay, Director of Renewables & Infrastructure, CRC Evans said: 'Our world leading expertise in coatings and welding, both in terms of our experienced personnel and ground-breaking technology such as our internal welding equipment, with its higher rate of productivity, are crucial in the current project and future water projects to come.' Known for its global and industry-leading expertise in coating and welding services across many sectors, including oil and gas, CRCE continues to target new markets and recently established a new division specialising in renewables and infrastructure. It includes provision of specialist welding and coating services for the utilities sector, including water and domestic gas pipelines. This ideally positions CRCE to leverage its expertise to support projects being delivered under Asset Management Plan 8 (AMP 8), the latest round of regulatory framework introduced to improve the delivery of water and wastewater facilities across the UK. Running from now until 2030, it will generate multi-billion pounds in business opportunities for companies operating in this sector. "Issued on behalf of CRC Evans by BIG Partnership. For more information, contact Ben Palmer on About CRC Evans: CRC Evans is a leading provider of welding and coating services for the global energy and wider infrastructure sectors. Founded in 1933, the organisation has employees across five continents. For more information on CRC Evans, visit:
