DuPont Teijin Films and Mitsubishi Electric Europe Partner with Meta Materials to Advance Safer, More Efficient Li-Ion Batteries

Rhea-AI Summary

Meta Materials Inc. (NASDAQ:MMAT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DuPont Teijin Films and Mitsubishi Electric Europe to enhance Li-Ion battery technology through its PLASMAfusion technology. This partnership aims to develop a high-volume, roll-to-roll manufacturing system for coated copper current collectors, improving battery efficiency, safety, and reducing costs. META expects this innovation will significantly decrease copper use in batteries, essential for the growing electric vehicle market, which may face a copper supply shortfall by 2035.

Positive

• Strategic partnership with DuPont Teijin Films and Mitsubishi Electric Europe enhances battery manufacturing capabilities.
• PLASMAfusion technology could reduce battery weight by up to 80%, boosting energy density and vehicle range.
• Collaboration addresses potential copper supply shortages critical for electric vehicle production.

Negative

• None.

Project to Scale Production of New Current Collectors Using PLASMAfusion® Technology

HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2022 / Meta Materials Inc. (the "Company" or "META®") (NASDAQ:MMAT)(FSE:MMAT), a developer of high-performance smart materials and nanocomposites, today announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") in partnership with DuPont Teijin Films and Mitsubishi Electric Europe. Using META's PLASMAfusion®, the parties plan to scale a proprietary, high volume, roll-to-roll manufacturing system for film-based, coated copper current collectors. The film-based products will reduce battery weight and cost, improve energy efficiency, extend vehicle range, and enhance safety against the risk of battery fires (known as thermal runaway) compared to standard Li-Ion batteries for electric vehicles and other use cases.

"Current Li-Ion battery innovations focus mainly on extending battery range and life span. With today's climate crisis and the increased demand for Electric Vehicles, a next generation Li-Ion battery is required that is more sustainable and safer," said George Palikaras, META's President and CEO. "We are excited to form a strategic alliance with Dupont Teijin Films and Mitsubishi Electric Europe focused on scaling PLASMAfusion® in a proprietary high volume battery coating system that can reduce copper volume and provide superior functionality, reduced cost, and improved battery safety."

The MOU is focused on developing battery materials, such as coated copper current collectors and solid-state battery electrodes, as a multi-year project in several stages: a pilot-scale roll-to-roll system, to be followed by an industrial scale mass production line, and further development of the application to the production of solid-state batteries. META will contribute the PLASMAfusion® technology platform, system development and independent testing of finished cells; DuPont Teijin Films will develop and supply the polyester substrates, and Mitsubishi Electric Europe will contribute automation technology, expertise, and interface to machine builders.

"We are confident that our thin polyester film manufacturing technology, coupled with our fundamental knowledge in polyester material science, will help deliver a solution to the lithium-ion battery market to improve safety and performance," said Dave Wall, Global Technology and Market Development Leader for DuPont Teijin Films. "This collaboration with Meta Materials and Mitsubishi Electric is a perfect example of how DuPont Teijin Films innovates alongside talented partners to meet global challenges."

"This partnership is a very good recipe for success: combining the providers of the key processing technology, the key raw material and the automation technology is how this coated copper current collector film can become a commercial reality. This project shows how Mitsubishi Electric can support the industrialization process with its network of partners, automation, and industrialization technologies," said Klaus Petersen, Director Lithium Battery Industry, of Mitsubishi Electric Europe.

According to an S&P Global Future of Copper report, the world may face a shortfall of between 1.6 and 9.9 million tons of copper by 2035. Even under an optimistic scenario, supply would not meet the copper demand required for net-zero emissions by 2050. An EV requires 2.5 times more copper than an ICE vehicle and the forecasted supply shortage needs a better solution than more mining. Current collectors used on the cathode and anode are made from aluminum and copper foils, respectively, and together contribute about 15% of the weight of the battery cell; the heavier copper material accounts more than 10%.

META's PLASMAfusion® technology has already been demonstrated in a project funded by the UK Research and Innovation Faraday Battery Challenge. Thin layers of copper are deposited on both sides of a polyester substrate, reducing the weight of the current collector by up to 80%. Lighter weight increases energy density, extending vehicle range. The polyester inner layer acts like a fuse, helping to inhibit thermal runaway. This new battery technology can reduce the dependence on copper that is needed for the other parts of electric vehicles. With copper consumption in electric vehicles predicted to increase to 4 million tons annually by 2040, this innovation could save millions of tons of copper.

Assuming a 65kWh battery pack, as larger and longer-range vehicles enter the market, META estimates a typical EV would require about 650 square meters of anode current collector material. Each GWh of battery capacity would require about 10 million square meters of material, enough to produce about 15,000 vehicles. To supply one million EVs would require 650 million square meters of anode current collector material. The improved energy density of these batteries is expected to not only increase the range of electric vehicles but also make electric aviation more feasible, as well as improve portable electronics and power tools.

About Meta Materials Inc.
META® delivers previously unachievable performance, across a range of applications, by inventing, designing, developing, and manufacturing sustainable, high-performance, functional materials. Our extensive technology platform enables leading global brands to deliver breakthrough products to their customers in consumer electronics, 5G communications, health and wellness, aerospace, automotive, and clean energy. Our nano-optic metamaterial technology provides anti-counterfeiting security features for government documents and currencies and authentication for brands. Our achievements have been widely recognized, including being named a Lux Research Innovator of the Year in 2021. Learn more at www.metamaterial.com.

About DuPont Teijin Films
DuPont Teijin Films, a joint venture between DuPont and Teijin Limited is a leading global producer of polyester films specializing in film products and related services for the Healthcare, Photovoltaics, Durable Labels, Imaging Media, Flexible Electronics, Packaging, Electrical Insulation, Capacitors industry, and many more. Only DuPont Teijin Films manufactures Mylar® and Melinex® brand PET films and Kaladex® PEN film. Mylar® and Melinex® PET and Kaladex® PEN polyester film are registered trademarks of DuPont Teijin Films. Please visit our website at www.dupontteijinfilms.com

About Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sale of electrical and electronic equipment used in industries such as information processing through satellite communications up to industrial technology, energy and mobility. The company recorded consolidated group sales of 36.7 billion US Dollars* in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. Our sales offices, research & development centres and manufacturing plants are in over 30 countries. The Factory Automation Business Unit EMEA is a part of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., which has been represented in Germany since 1978 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Japan. More information emea.mitsubishielectric.com/fa

*U.S. dollar amounts are translated from yen at the rate of ¥221=U.S.$1, the approximate rate on the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2022

Forward-Looking Information
This press release includes forward-looking information or statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the Company, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of the Company to continue to meet the Nasdaq requirements to maintain a Nasdaq listing, the business strategies, product development, expansion plans and operational activities of the Company. Often but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "pursuing", "potential", "predicts", "projects", "seeks", "plans", "expect", "intends", "anticipated", "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of the management of the Company and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, the capabilities of our facilities and the expansion thereof, research and development projects of the Company, the total available market and market potential of the products of the Company, the market position of the Company, the need to raise more capital and the ability to do so, the scalability of the Company's production ability, capacity for new customer engagements, material selection programs timeframes, the ability to reduce production costs, enhance metamaterials manufacturing capabilities and extend market reach into new applications and industries, the ability to accelerate commercialization plans, the possibility of new customer contracts, the continued engagement of our employees, the technology industry, market strategic and operational activities, and management's ability to manage and to operate the business. More details about these and other risks that may impact the Company's businesses are described under the heading "Forward-Looking Information" and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022, with an SEC filing date of March 2, in the Company's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2022, and in subsequent filings made by Meta Materials with the SEC, which are available on SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Media Inquiries
Rob Stone
Vice President, Corporate Development and Communications
Meta Materials Inc.
media@metamaterial.com

Investor Contact
Mark Komonoski
Senior Vice President
Integrous Communications
Phone: 1-877-255-8483
Email: ir@metamaterial.com

SOURCE: Meta Materials Inc.

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FAQ

What is the focus of the MOU signed by Meta Materials Inc. and its partners?

The MOU focuses on developing a high-volume manufacturing system for coated copper current collectors to enhance Li-Ion battery technology.

How does PLASMAfusion technology improve battery performance?

PLASMAfusion technology reduces the weight of current collectors, improves energy efficiency, and enhances safety against thermal runaway.

What role do DuPont Teijin Films and Mitsubishi Electric Europe play in the project?

DuPont Teijin Films will supply polyester substrates, while Mitsubishi Electric Europe will provide automation technology and expertise.

How much could copper consumption for electric vehicles increase by 2040?

Copper consumption in electric vehicles is predicted to increase to 4 million tons annually by 2040.

What impact does the partnership have on the electric vehicle market?

The partnership aims to address the anticipated copper supply shortages, ensuring more sustainable and efficient battery production for the growing electric vehicle market.