June 27, 2025: Sino-Moroccan company COBCO said on June 25 it had launched the first phase of production of NCM precursor cathode active materials at its new $2 billion plant in Morocco.

COBCO is a joint venture between the Moroccan and pan-African investment fund Al Mada and Chinese battery materials producer CNGR Advanced Materials.

The company said on the official Moroccan government website that the facility aims to be a key supplier to the EV batteries and stationary energy storage markets.

The 238-hectare plant at Jorf Lasfar, will have an eventual annual 70 GWh production capacity. COBCO said also aims to start lithium battery recycling and black mass processing operations.
Last March, COBCO signed a long-term supply agreement with Umicore for the delivery of precursor cathode active materials from its Morocco plant to be used in EV batteries.

Umicore said then that the materials would feed its cathode active material production lines, supporting its international customer base and contributing to the advancement of sustainable mobility in Europe and beyond.