Role in Lithium-Ion Batteries
Manganese plays multiple roles. In NMC cathodes, manganese contributes structural stability. More transformatively, manganese is central to BMLMP (boron-modified lithium manganese iron phosphate) — C4V's flagship cathode chemistry. BMLMP operates at a higher voltage (~4.0V vs. LFP's ~3.4V), increasing energy density by 15–20% while retaining LFP's safety advantages. BMLMP uses iron and manganese — both available in significant US deposits — rather than expensive cobalt and high-nickel content.
BMLMP: The American bridge chemistry. By combining domestically available manganese and iron with C4V's proprietary boron modification, BMLMP delivers a chemistry with superior performance AND a more achievable domestic supply chain than NMC.
Domestic Supply
The US has identified manganese resources in Montana, Virginia, Minnesota, and Arizona. Allied-nation sourcing from Australia provides a secure near-term pathway while domestic development scales. Building domestic manganese sulfate (MnSO₄) refining capacity is a near-term priority for American BMLMP and NMC cell manufacturing.