Aqua Metals Pioneers Domestic LFP Recycling with Breakthrough Bench-Scale Testing
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has successfully completed bench-scale testing for recycling lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials, marking a significant advancement in domestic battery recycling. The company's new process can be integrated into planned ARC facilities with a 25-30% incremental capital expense, without expanding the physical footprint.
The technology enables processing of both NMC and LFP batteries, potentially doubling total feedstock throughput to 15,000 tonnes annually (7,500 tonnes each of NMC and LFP) and lithium carbonate output to approximately 2,700 tonnes per year. This output would increase current U.S. lithium production by more than 50% annually.
This development positions Aqua Metals as a first mover in addressing the growing LFP recycling market, particularly significant as LFP batteries become increasingly dominant in electric vehicles and stationary storage applications despite their lower market value and current suppressed lithium prices.
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) ha completato con successo i test su scala di banco per il riciclo dei materiali delle batterie al fosfato di ferro litio (LFP), segnando un importante progresso nel riciclo domestico delle batterie. Il nuovo processo dell'azienda può essere integrato nelle strutture ARC pianificate con un costo capitale incrementale del 25-30%, senza espandere l'area fisica.
La tecnologia consente di lavorare sia le batterie NMC che quelle LFP, potenzialmente raddoppiando il totale della capacità di lavorazione a 15.000 tonnellate all'anno (7.500 tonnellate di NMC e 7.500 tonnellate di LFP) e la produzione di carbonato di litio a circa 2.700 tonnellate all'anno. Questa produzione aumenterebbe l'attuale produzione di litio negli Stati Uniti di oltre il 50% all'anno.
Questo sviluppo posiziona Aqua Metals come un pioniere nel rispondere al crescente mercato del riciclo LFP, particolarmente significativo poiché le batterie LFP stanno diventando sempre più dominanti nei veicoli elettrici e nelle applicazioni di stoccaggio stazionario, nonostante il loro valore di mercato inferiore e i prezzi del litio attualmente depressi.
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) ha completado con éxito las pruebas a escala de banco para el reciclaje de materiales de baterías de fosfato de hierro de litio (LFP), marcando un avance significativo en el reciclaje de baterías a nivel nacional. El nuevo proceso de la empresa puede integrarse en las instalaciones ARC planificadas con un costo de capital incremental del 25-30%, sin expandir el área física.
La tecnología permite procesar tanto baterías NMC como LFP, lo que podría duplicar el total de la capacidad de procesamiento a 15,000 toneladas anuales (7,500 toneladas de NMC y 7,500 toneladas de LFP) y la producción de carbonato de litio a aproximadamente 2,700 toneladas por año. Esta producción aumentaría la producción actual de litio en EE. UU. en más del 50% anual.
Este desarrollo posiciona a Aqua Metals como un pionero en abordar el creciente mercado de reciclaje de LFP, especialmente significativo ya que las baterías LFP se vuelven cada vez más dominantes en vehículos eléctricos y aplicaciones de almacenamiento estacionario, a pesar de su menor valor de mercado y los precios del litio actualmente deprimidos.
아쿠아 메탈스 (NASDAQ: AQMS)는 리튬 철 인산염 (LFP) 배터리 재료의 재활용을 위한 벤치 스케일 테스트를 성공적으로 완료하여 국내 배터리 재활용의 중요한 발전을 이루었습니다. 회사의 새로운 프로세스는 물리적 공간을 확장하지 않고도 25-30%의 추가 자본 비용으로 계획된 ARC 시설에 통합될 수 있습니다.
이 기술은 NMC 및 LFP 배터리 모두를 처리할 수 있게 하여, 연간 총 원료 처리량을 15,000톤으로 두 배로 늘릴 수 있는 가능성이 있으며 (NMC와 LFP 각각 7,500톤) 리튬 탄산염의 생산량을 연간 약 2,700톤으로 증가시킬 수 있습니다. 이 생산량은 현재 미국의 리튬 생산량을 연간 50% 이상 증가시킬 것입니다.
이 발전은 아쿠아 메탈스를 LFP 재활용 시장의 선두주자로 자리매김하게 하며, LFP 배터리가 전기차 및 고정 저장 응용 분야에서 점점 더 지배적이 되는 가운데 특히 중요합니다. 이들은 시장 가치가 낮고 현재 리튬 가격이 억제된 상황에서도 그렇습니다.
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) a réussi à achever des tests à l'échelle de banc pour le recyclage des matériaux de batteries au phosphate de fer lithium (LFP), marquant un avancement significatif dans le recyclage des batteries domestiques. Le nouveau processus de l'entreprise peut être intégré dans les installations ARC prévues avec une dépense d'investissement supplémentaire de 25 à 30 %, sans agrandir l'espace physique.
La technologie permet de traiter à la fois les batteries NMC et LFP, ce qui pourrait doubler le total du débit de matières premières à 15 000 tonnes par an (7 500 tonnes chacune de NMC et de LFP) et la production de carbonate de lithium à environ 2 700 tonnes par an. Cette production augmenterait la production actuelle de lithium aux États-Unis de plus de 50 % par an.
Ce développement positionne Aqua Metals comme un pionnier dans la réponse au marché croissant du recyclage des LFP, particulièrement significatif car les batteries LFP deviennent de plus en plus dominantes dans les véhicules électriques et les applications de stockage stationnaire, malgré leur valeur marchande inférieure et les prix du lithium actuellement déprimés.
Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) hat erfolgreich Bench-Scale-Tests zum Recycling von Lithium-Eisen-Phosphat (LFP)-Batteriematerialien abgeschlossen, was einen bedeutenden Fortschritt im nationalen Batterierecycling darstellt. Der neue Prozess des Unternehmens kann mit einem zusätzlichen Investitionsaufwand von 25-30% in die geplanten ARC-Anlagen integriert werden, ohne die physische Fläche zu erweitern.
Die Technologie ermöglicht die Verarbeitung sowohl von NMC- als auch von LFP-Batterien, was potenziell die gesamte Rohstoffdurchsatzmenge auf 15.000 Tonnen jährlich verdoppeln könnte (7.500 Tonnen jeweils von NMC und LFP) und die Lithiumcarbonatproduktion auf etwa 2.700 Tonnen pro Jahr erhöhen könnte. Diese Produktion würde die aktuelle Lithiumproduktion in den USA um mehr als 50% jährlich steigern.
Diese Entwicklung positioniert Aqua Metals als Vorreiter im Umgang mit dem wachsenden LFP-Recyclingmarkt, was besonders bedeutend ist, da LFP-Batterien in Elektrofahrzeugen und stationären Speicheranwendungen immer dominanter werden, trotz ihres niedrigeren Marktwerts und der derzeit gedrückten Lithiumpreise.
- First-mover advantage in domestic LFP battery recycling
- Doubles potential lithium production capacity to 2,700 tonnes annually
- 50% increase to current U.S. lithium production when operational
- Facility can process both NMC and LFP batteries, doubling feedstock capacity to 15,000 tonnes/year
- Modest 25-30% capital expense for integration without footprint expansion
- Lower market value of LFP batteries compared to other chemistries
- Currently suppressed global lithium prices affecting potential revenues
- Additional capital expenditure required for integration
Insights
Aqua Metals' successful bench-scale testing for LFP battery recycling represents a significant technical achievement in a challenging but strategically important segment of battery recycling. The LFP chemistry, despite being lower in valuable metals like cobalt and nickel, contains critical lithium that must be recovered for a truly circular battery economy.
What makes this development particularly noteworthy is the engineering efficiency demonstrated by integrating LFP processing into existing facility designs with only
The potential to double lithium carbonate output to
From a technical standpoint, LFP recycling has been problematic industry-wide due to its iron phosphate structure and lower market value. By developing a solution for this specific chemistry, Aqua Metals is addressing a growing gap in recycling infrastructure as LFP batteries gain market share in EVs and stationary storage applications - particularly as Chinese manufacturers aggressively deploy this chemistry globally.
While bench-scale success is promising, the real challenge lies in scaling this technology to commercial operations while maintaining economic viability, especially with depressed lithium prices. The ability to process both NMC and LFP chemistries in a single facility also creates operational flexibility that most competitors currently lack.
Aqua Metals' LFP recycling breakthrough represents forward-thinking positioning in the battery recycling space. With this development, the company addresses an underserved market segment that's poised for significant growth as LFP battery adoption accelerates in EVs and energy storage.
The economics deserve scrutiny - with global lithium prices currently suppressed and LFP containing less valuable metals than NMC batteries, the revenue potential per ton processed may be lower. However, the potential to double facility throughput with only
Strategically, Aqua Metals is positioning itself ahead of market needs. While most competitors focus on higher-value chemistries today, the company is preparing for tomorrow's recycling challenges. This first-mover advantage could translate into valuable partnerships and supply agreements with LFP battery manufacturers and users seeking recycling solutions.
The claim that their commercial operation would increase U.S. lithium production by
For investors, this represents technological de-risking and expanded total addressable market, though meaningful revenue from LFP recycling remains a longer-term prospect. The company will still need to demonstrate successful scale-up from bench testing to commercial operations, secure feedstock supply chains for LFP batteries, and navigate evolving market dynamics for recycled materials.
LFP Integration Doubles Lithium Production Potential for Multi-Chemistry Battery Recycling at ARC Facilities
RENO, Nev., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS), a pioneer in sustainable lithium battery recycling, today announced the successful completion of bench-scale testing and engineering analysis for a novel process to recycle lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials. This milestone highlights Aqua Metals’ proven ability to rapidly adapt its technology to market needs, reinforcing its position as a leader in building a resilient, circular battery supply chain that retains critical mineral processing within the United States.
LFP batteries are rapidly becoming the dominant chemistry for electric vehicles and stationary storage due to their lower cost and safety advantages. However, their widespread adoption presents a significant recycling challenge, as iron-based cathodes with no nickel or cobalt have lower market value and global lithium prices remain suppressed. While most domestic recyclers continue to focus on higher-value chemistries, Aqua Metals is stepping ahead of the curve with a demonstrated approach to recovering lithium from LFP black mass—positioning itself as a first mover in addressing this critical and underserved segment of the U.S. battery supply chain.
“We believe this is an important step in our strategy to develop the most adaptable and scalable lithium battery recycling platform in the industry,” said Steve Cotton, President and CEO of Aqua Metals. “Our ability to integrate LFP recovery into our existing plans demonstrates how we can evolve with market needs while maintaining a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and long-term impact.”
The Company’s engineering and technoeconomic analysis shows that the LFP recycling process can be integrated into the planned Sierra ARC facility and/or any ARC facility with an incremental capital expense of 25 to
“Recycling LFP batteries has posed a major technical hurdle for the industry due to its unique chemistry and limited market value,” said Ben Taecker, Chief Engineering and Operating Officer at Aqua Metals. “This milestone demonstrates how adaptable our technology platform is — and positions Aqua Metals at the forefront of building the next generation of clean, scalable recycling solutions for the evolving battery landscape in North America.”
With this advancement, Aqua Metals is positioning itself to meet the growing need for LFP recycling, ensuring that valuable lithium remains in the domestic supply chain and supporting U.S. leadership in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
About Aqua Metals
Aqua Metals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS) is reinventing metals recycling with its patented AquaRefining™ technology. The Company is pioneering a sustainable recycling solution for materials strategic to energy storage and electric vehicle manufacturing supply chains. AquaRefining™ is a low-emissions, closed-loop recycling technology that replaces polluting furnaces and hazardous chemicals with electricity-powered electroplating to recover valuable metals and materials from spent batteries with higher purity, lower emissions, and minimal waste. Aqua Metals is based in Reno, NV and operates the first sustainable lithium battery recycling facility at the Company’s Innovation Center in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. To learn more, please visit www.aquametals.com.
Aqua Metals Social Media
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Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Aqua Metals, Inc. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions and other statements that contain words such as "expects," "contemplates," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "believes", "estimates", "potential" and variations of such words or similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, or that do not relate to historical matters. The forward-looking statements in this press release include our expectations for our advancement of our LFP recycling process, including the expected benefits of such process.. Those forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the risk that (1) we have not commenced the commercial production of recycled black mass using our LFP recycling process or otherwise; (2) there can be no assurance we will be able to realize the expected benefits of our LFP recycling process once we commence commercial recycling; (3) the risk we may not be able to successfully acquire the funding necessary to develop our Sierra ARC facility required to commence commercial recycling; (4) even if we are to able acquire the necessary funding, the risk we may not be able to successfully develop the Sierra ARC facility or realize the expected benefits from such facility; (5) the risk that we may not be able to acquire the funding necessary to maintain our current level of operations; and (6) those risks disclosed in the section "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2025. Aqua Metals cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect on new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, except as required by law.
Contact Information
Investor Relations
Bob Meyers & Rob Fink
FNK IR
646-878-9204
aqms@fnkir.com
Media
David Regan
Aqua Metals
415-336-3553
david.regan@aquametals.com
FAQ
What is the expected annual lithium carbonate output from Aqua Metals' Sierra ARC facility with LFP recycling?
How much additional capital expense is required for AQMS to integrate LFP recycling into existing facilities?
What is the total processing capacity of AQMS Sierra ARC facility after adding LFP capabilities?
How will AQMS's new LFP recycling capability impact U.S. lithium production?
