Netherlands to Help Bolivia with Lithium Batteries
THE HAGUE, 28/09/13 - The University of Delft and three Dutch companies are to help in Bolivia with the establishment of a company that makes lithium batteries, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Lilianne Ploumen has announced.
Expectations are that demand for lithium batteries will grow rapidly in the coming years, among other uses for use in the batteries of electric cars, according to the ministry. The partnership is aimed at earning more money from the “enormous quantity” of the metal in the Bolivian earth. Along with the plant, there will also be a research centre. Ploumen says the Bolivians will as a result of the partnership benefit more in the future from its natural resources, without having to invest aid money. “At the same time, there is a nice spin-off for Dutch industry.’ One of the consequences of the partnership is that 40 Bolivian Master’s students will get a place at Delft University. Additionally, graduates from the South American country will have the opportunity in the Netherlands to learn more about lithium batteries. There will be partnerships with the universities of La Paz, Potosi, Oruru and Cochabamba. Delft university will start training the personnel for the research centre at the end of this year. DaVinci Laboratory Solutions will shape up that centre in partnership with the university. BTI-Energy Innovators will work on setting up the batteries business and Boon Consultants will act as intermediary. |
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