Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) started testing for the production of lithium manganese iron phosphate batteries in collaboration with the Central South University (CSU) of Hunan, China, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.

Five batches of batteries are completed using solid and co-precipitation methods to produce button batteries for analysis and testing.

CSU is using both in-house and third-party labs to convert the batteries into button batteries for performance testing, the filing said.

The full program aims to test 100 batches to gather critical data on battery performance and optimization, the company said.

The test results will inform a scoping study for larger-scale production, with plans to expand the pilot plant to produce one tonne of lithium manganese iron phosphate batteries per day.