A study published on ScienceDirect says Morocco could process up to 56,160 metric tonnes of key materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
The report sets out three possible production levels: 600 tonnes, 9,305 tonnes and 56,160 tonnes. The focus is on turning nickel, manganese and cobalt into battery-grade chemicals. These are the refined materials needed to make battery parts.
Global demand for lithium-ion batteries is rising fast. The growth is driven by electric cars and energy storage systems. This is pushing up demand for metals used in NMC batteries, which contain nickel, manganese and cobalt and are widely used in long-range electric vehicles.
The study says Morocco has the minerals, factories and location needed to join Europe’s battery supply chain. Instead of making full battery cells, the country would focus on refining metals and producing processed materials that sit in the middle of the supply chain.
Europe is expected to need more battery materials in the coming years. As the EU looks to reduce its reliance on Asia, Morocco’s closeness to Europe could give it an edge.
Morocco holds about 70 percent of the world’s known phosphate reserves. It also has its own supplies of cobalt, manganese and nickel. By refining these metals to very high purity, Morocco could move from simply exporting raw rock to producing higher-value battery chemicals.
The most ambitious plan, 56,160 tonnes, would make Morocco a major supplier of battery materials in the region. The report says the country would be strongest in refining and producing battery chemicals, rather than building complete batteries.
There is also another opportunity linked to phosphate. Lithium iron phosphate, or LFP batteries, are becoming more popular because they are cheaper and safer, even if they offer slightly less driving range. Carmakers such as Tesla and Ford are already using more LFP batteries in some models. Morocco’s control of phosphate could help it supply this part of the market.
The report also points to global politics. China currently processes most of the world’s battery chemicals. Europe is introducing new rules that require cleaner production and clear supply chains. Shipping materials from Morocco to Europe would create fewer transport emissions than shipping from Asia.
Morocco’s growing solar and wind power could also help. If refining plants run on renewable energy, the country could sell lower-carbon battery materials to European buyers.
However, reaching the highest production level would need heavy investment, modern technology and skilled workers. Refining battery chemicals also uses large amounts of water, meaning new water and energy projects would be required.
The study says the three production levels show different paths Morocco could take as it tries to build a stronger role in the fast-growing global battery industry.
