Pilbara Minerals has coined the digital trading platform, the “battery material exchange”, which will allow buyers to purchase its spodumene concentrate product through auction, tender process or bilateral sales agreement.

Pilbara Minerals is working with Australian technology company GLX Digital to test platform using unallocated or available spodumene concentrate.

First sales from the platform are expected in the coming months when the platform is formally established.

Pilbara Minerals expects the software platform to provide further growth for the sale of spodumene concentrate, with first sales slated in the coming months.

The company expects the advanced sales channel to support the growing demand for spodumene concentrate.

It will operate alongside Pilbara Minerals’ existing and future offtake agreements, with the initial goal of selling unallocated or available spodumene that sits outside of existing agreements.

Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Ken Brinsden said the platform would increase the company’s presence in the expanding battery raw materials supply chain.

“With significant growth in the battery raw materials supply chain now expected, the introduction of our battery material exchange trading platform should position Pilbara Minerals well to maximise its participation,” he said.

“Creating a digital marketing and sales platform represents a logical evolution for the industry and we are pleased to be working with GLX Digital to lead the industry.”

Pilbara Minerals has encouraged existing and new customers to adopt the trading platform for additional spodumene concentrate.

All users will be given anonymity to ensure customer relationships are secured.

The platform is certified to security standard ISO 27001, and is designed for sales to be undertaken under private measures.