Firebird Metals Secures Patent, Eyes US$10M Kiln Sales and Australian Plant

Patent Secures Firebird’s Energy-Efficient Kiln Technology

Firebird Metals Limited (ASX – FRB) has taken a significant step forward by securing a core patent for its high-efficiency roasting and drying kiln. This technology, which has demonstrated up to 70% energy savings on high-grade manganese ore, anchors the company’s integrated flowsheet from concentrate to battery materials. The patented kiln design incorporates innovative features such as inner and outer tubes, a screw-type discharge cooler, and sealed feeding mechanisms, enhancing thermal efficiency and operational stability.

The kiln’s energy-saving credentials have already attracted commercial interest, with an expression of interest from Taza Metal Technologies for up to five units, potentially generating over US$10 million in revenue. This positions Firebird not only as a technology innovator but also as a potential equipment supplier in the growing battery materials sector.

Australian Demonstration Plant to Showcase End-to-End Battery Materials Production

Building on its patented technology, Firebird plans to construct an Australian Demonstration Plant (ADP) in the Perth Metropolitan Area. The ADP will be the first facility outside China capable of converting manganese concentrate into high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), lithium manganese iron phosphate precursor cathode active material (LMFP PCAM), and cathode active material (LMFP CAM). This integrated flowsheet aligns with Australia’s national objectives to strengthen supply chain resilience and add value within the lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector.

The ADP will operate as a zero-tailings system, incorporating circular by-product recycling and modified Australian feedstock pathways to enhance environmental performance. It will also serve as a hub for training, knowledge transfer, and customer-specific research and development, fostering local capability in advanced battery materials production.

Commercialisation Pathways and Market Positioning

Firebird’s strategy leverages multiple revenue streams, including technology licensing, equipment supply, and downstream production of battery materials. The company is already engaging with tier-one global OEMs and battery manufacturers, aiming to validate its products and secure partnerships. The ADP’s location in Perth facilitates site visits from potential partners and government officials, enhancing collaboration opportunities.

LMFP battery technology, which Firebird is advancing, offers notable advantages over the widely used lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, including higher energy density, improved power output, lower cost per kilowatt-hour, and a smaller physical footprint. These benefits position LMFP as a competitive solution for electric vehicles and large-scale stationary energy storage systems, markets expected to grow substantially in the coming years.

Firebird’s integrated approach, combining patented kiln technology with a demonstration plant and a strong focus on commercial partnerships, positions the company as a first mover outside China in the rapidly expanding battery materials industry.