Thakadu Launches IXS-PurePlus Nickel Sulphate for EV, Battery Storage and Advanced Technology Markets
South African battery materials manufacturer Thakadu Battery Materials has launched IXS-PurePlus, a new nickel sulphate product developed for customers requiring cleaner chemistry, tighter impurity control and improved performance.
The launch followed the successful commissioning of a new solvent-extraction circuit at Thakadu’s existing battery-grade nickel refinery, which operates within Sibanye-Stillwater’s base metal refinery in South Africa.
The facility processes crude nickel sulphate feed from Sibanye-Stillwater’s base metal refinery into higher-value nickel sulphate products for export.
Thakadu CEO Ruli Diseko said the launch demonstrated how South Africa could add value to critical minerals at source. He described IXS-PurePlus as a significant milestone for the company and a new product designed to meet evolving customer requirements.
Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Dr Richard Stewart said the operation demonstrated the value of mineral beneficiation in unlocking greater value from South Africa’s mineral resources.
Through the partnership, Thakadu converts nickel-bearing feed into a premium battery-grade product for global markets.
Stewart said IXS-PurePlus had been designed for manufacturers supplying electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems and advanced industrial technology applications, where reliability, sustainability and precision were important.
The launch comes as customers place increasing emphasis on secure, diversified and responsibly produced critical-mineral supply chains.
Thakadu said nickel markets were also becoming increasingly sensitive to supply concentration, changes in Indonesian ore policy, reagent availability and processing capacity.
Against this backdrop, the company said reliable production of ultra-pure nickel sulphate would be important for customers seeking cleaner chemistry, responsible production and greater security of supply.
The partnership between Thakadu and Sibanye-Stillwater also highlights the role of local beneficiation in moving beyond the export of raw materials and producing higher-value critical-mineral products for international markets.
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