30th July 2024
Urbix, Inc., a leading US-based developer of graphite processing technology, today announced Dr. Anne Duncan’s appointment as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”).
Highlights
The appointment of Dr. Duncan as COO strengthens Urbix’s capabilities across process optimization, product development, project management and operations, accelerating plans to deploy Urbix’s graphite processing technology at its first commercial scale production facility
Duncan brings significant expertise to Urbix with over 35 years of experience in minerals processing and refining in the graphite and alumina value chains for Syrah Resources, Rio Tinto and Queensland Alumina
Duncan joins Urbix from Syrah Resources, where she managed the development and construction of its Vidalia anode manufacturing facility in Louisiana
Anne will oversee Urbix’s current operations in Arizona, producing Coated Spherical Purified Graphite (“CSPG”), the predominant anode material used within lithium-ion batteries. She will support the expansion of Urbix’s commercial demonstration activities and customer engagement and progress the construction of a commercial-scale processing facility in the US, targeted to begin production in 2026. With over 35 years of experience working in minerals processing and refining, Anne is ideally positioned to support Urbix’s ambitious commercialization strategy.
Anne joins Urbix from Syrah Resources where she served as Vice President of USA Processing Operations, responsible for establishing the first anode material production facility outside of China. While in this role, she was accountable for the engineering design, permitting, approvals, construction, and commissioning of Syrah’s 11.25ktpa CSPG production facility and engaged with the US Department of Energy’s grant and loan programs.
Prior to this role, Anne was the Global Director of Bauxite and Alumina at Hatch, who provide engineering services for over 40% of global Alumina producers. She was also previously Plant Manager of the Almatis Burnside Alumina Refinery and worked with Rio Tinto Alcan’s Bauxite and Alumina business for over 20 years, serving as Chief Technology Advisor and General Manager of Operations Excellence.
Anne holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Auckland, a MASc in Metallurgy and Materials Science from the University of Toronto and a BSc in Engineering Physics from McMaster University.
Nico Cuevas, Founder and CEO of Urbix, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Duncan as COO during an exciting phase of growth for Urbix. She has an impressive track record supporting complex operational and scale-up plans and will be an excellent asset to the business. I look forward to collaborating with her as Urbix develops a robust and reliable domestic supply of battery-grade graphite for US battery makers. The experience and operational expertise Anne brings aligns perfectly with our established and experienced team of technology developers, engineers and operators.”
Anne Duncan, COO of Urbix, commented: “I am excited to be joining Urbix. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the expansion of an innovative and sustainable processing technology that can play a critical role supporting the US’ domestic battery manufacturing and supply chain ambitions. I am looking forward to working with this dynamic team helping to establish Urbix as the leader in our industry.”
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About Urbix, Inc.
Urbix is a US-based developer of graphite processing technology. The Company’s proprietary technology utilizes a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach for the production of high quality CSPG, a key anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Urbix’s low-cost method avoids the use of hydrofluoric acid and results in yields that surpass industry standards.
The Company operates in Mesa, AZ and Research Triangle Park, NC with more than 65 employees. Its pilot scale facility and electrochemical laboratory in Mesa has been instrumental to the development and refinement of the Urbix technology and its CSPG products for over 7 years. The team is currently completing its first commercial scale demonstration module with state-of-the-art quality control capabilities developed out of Research Triangle Park, NC through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. Urbix maintains an active research and development pipeline focused on the development of enhanced battery component products and advanced critical mineral processing technologies.
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