South Africa is staking its claim in the global battery materials market.

Mpumalanga-based Manganese Metal Company (MMC) – one of the world’s only producers of electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) outside China and the largest producer of high-purity selenium-free EMM – has officially commissioned the first phase of a battery-grade high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) plant in Mbombela, reports Engineering News.

At the same time the company has announced it is planning a second phase adding 18 000 tons a year to the current capacity of 6 000 tons a year. The company is also developing a patented ore-to-crystals process to support accelerated future growth in the battery supply chain. the process involves converting a small portion of high-purity EMM into battery-grade sulphate.

This comes amid an explosion in global sales of battery electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Sales reached more than 21 million units in 2025, more than double the figure anticipated in 2020.

According to Engineering News, emerging lithium manganese-rich battery technologies will strengthen manganese demand and reduce battery cost.

MMC says it supplies various quality grades of EMM to 120 customers in 20 countries which manufacture products such as aluminium packaging, steel, speciality alloys, welding rods and coils, and lithium-ion batteries.

15 June 2026
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