Electra Initiates Feasibility Study for Battery Recycling Refinery
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) has initiated a feasibility study for constructing a battery recycling refinery next to its cobalt refinery north of Toronto. The study builds on the company's successful year-long black mass recycling trial, where they produced technical grade lithium and nickel-cobalt products from end-of-life batteries.
The company has partnered with Three Fires Group through Aki Battery Recycling to build a pretreatment facility for battery scrap. The resulting black mass will be refined at Electra's facility, offering North American battery makers a closed-loop partnership for domestic critical minerals supply.
Electra has retained Green Li-ion, a U.S.-based recycling technology solutions provider, to assist with engineering and feasibility studies. The company recently received C$5 million from Natural Resources Canada to advance its recycling project's next phase, focusing on demonstrating the scalability and profitability of its hydrometallurgical black mass process.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) ha avviato uno studio di fattibilità per la costruzione di un impianto di riciclo delle batterie accanto al suo impianto di raffinazione del cobalto a nord di Toronto. Lo studio si basa sul riuscito esperimento di riciclo della massa nera, durato un anno, in cui hanno prodotto prodotti in litio tecnico e nickel-cobalto da batterie a fine vita.
L'azienda ha collaborato con Three Fires Group tramite Aki Battery Recycling per costruire un impianto di pretrattamento per i rottami di batteria. La massa nera risultante sarà raffinata presso il sito di Electra, offrendo ai produttori di batterie nordamericani una partnership a ciclo chiuso per l'approvvigionamento domestico di minerali critici.
Electra ha ingaggiato Green Li-ion, un fornitore statunitense di soluzioni per la tecnologia del riciclo, per assistere con gli studi di ingegneria e fattibilità. Recentemente l'azienda ha ricevuto C$5 milioni da Risorse Naturali del Canada per avanzare alla fase successiva del suo progetto di riciclo, concentrandosi sulla dimostrazione della scalabilità e della redditività del suo processo idrometallurgico per la massa nera.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) ha iniciado un estudio de viabilidad para construir una refinería de reciclaje de baterías junto a su refinería de cobalto al norte de Toronto. El estudio se basa en el exitoso ensayo de reciclaje de masa negra que la compañía llevó a cabo durante un año, donde produjeron productos de litio de grado técnico y níquel-cobalto a partir de baterías al final de su vida útil.
La empresa se ha asociado con Three Fires Group a través de Aki Battery Recycling para construir una instalación de pretratamiento para chatarra de baterías. La masa negra resultante se refinará en las instalaciones de Electra, ofreciendo a los fabricantes de baterías norteamericanos una asociación de circuito cerrado para el suministro doméstico de minerales críticos.
Electra ha contratado a Green Li-ion, un proveedor de soluciones tecnológicas de reciclaje con sede en EE. UU., para ayudar con los estudios de ingeniería y viabilidad. Recientemente, la empresa recibió C$5 millones de Recursos Naturales de Canadá para avanzar a la siguiente fase de su proyecto de reciclaje, centrándose en demostrar la escalabilidad y rentabilidad de su proceso hidrometalúrgico de masa negra.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM)는 토론토 북쪽의 코발트 정유소 옆에 배터리 재활용 정유소 건설을 위한 타당성 조사를 시작했습니다. 이 연구는 폐 배터리에서 기술 등급의 리튬과 니켈-코발트 제품을 생산한 회사의 성공적인 1년간의 블랙 매스 재활용 시험을 기반으로 하고 있습니다.
회사는 Aki Battery Recycling을 통해 Three Fires Group과 협력하여 배터리 스크랩을 위한 전처리 시설을 구축합니다. 그 결과 블랙 매스는 Electra의 시설에서 정제되어 북미 배터리 제조업체에게 국내 필수 광물 공급을 위한 닫힌 루프 파트너십을 제공합니다.
Electra는 미국에 본사를 둔 재활용 기술 솔루션 제공업체인 Green Li-ion을 고용하여 엔지니어링 및 타당성 연구를 지원받고 있습니다. 회사는 최근 C$5 백만을 캐나다 자연자원부로부터 이 재활용 프로젝트의 다음 단계로 나아가기 위해 받았으며, 이 단계에서는 수산화 블랙 매스 공정의 확장성과 수익성을 입증하는 데 중점을 두고 있습니다.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) a lancé une étude de faisabilité pour construire une raffinerie de recyclage de batteries à côté de sa raffinerie de cobalt au nord de Toronto. L'étude s'appuie sur l'essai de recyclage de masse noire, qui a duré un an, au cours duquel l'entreprise a produit des produits en lithium technique et en nickel-cobalt à partir de batteries en fin de vie.
L'entreprise a formé un partenariat avec Three Fires Group par l'intermédiaire d'Aki Battery Recycling pour construire une installation de prétraitement pour les déchets de batteries. La masse noire résultante sera raffinée dans l'installation d'Electra, offrant ainsi aux fabricants de batteries nord-américains un partenariat en boucle fermée pour l'approvisionnement domestique en minerais critiques.
Electra a engagé Green Li-ion, un fournisseur de solutions en technologie de recyclage basé aux États-Unis, pour aider aux études d'ingénierie et de faisabilité. Récemment, l'entreprise a reçu C$5 millions de Ressources naturelles Canada pour faire avancer la prochaine phase de son projet de recyclage, en se concentrant sur la démonstration de l'évolutivité et de la rentabilité de son processus de masse noire hydrométallurgique.
Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM) hat eine Machbarkeitsstudie für den Bau einer Recyclingraffinerie für Batterien neben ihrer Kobaltraffinerie nordlich von Toronto initiiert. Die Studie basiert auf dem erfolgreichen einjährigen Versuch zur Wiederverwertung von Schwarzer Masse, bei dem technische Lithium- und Nickel-Kobalt-Produkte aus Batterien am Ende ihrer Lebensdauer hergestellt wurden.
Das Unternehmen arbeitet mit Three Fires Group über Aki Battery Recycling zusammen, um eine Vorbehandlungsanlage für Batterieschrott zu errichten. Die daraus resultierende schwarze Masse wird in der Anlage von Electra verfeinert und bietet nordamerikanischen Batteriemachern eine Partnerschaft mit geschlossenem Kreislauf für die heimische Versorgung mit kritischen Mineralien.
Electra hat Green Li-ion beauftragt, einen Anbieter von Recycling-Technologielösungen mit Sitz in den USA, zur Unterstützung bei Ingenieurdienstleistungen und Machbarkeitsstudien. Das Unternehmen hat vor kurzem C$5 Millionen von Natural Resources Canada erhalten, um die nächste Phase seines Recyclingprojekts voranzutreiben, wobei der Fokus auf der Demonstration der Skalierbarkeit und Rentabilität seines hydrometallurgischen Verfahrens zur Gewinnung von schwarzer Masse liegt.
- Secured C$5 million funding from Natural Resources Canada for recycling project advancement
- Successfully completed 40-tonne black mass processing trial
- Established strategic partnership with Three Fires Group for battery scrap pretreatment
- Developed proprietary hydrometallurgical process for battery recycling
- Feasibility study outcome uncertain
- Commercial facility construction pending study results and additional considerations
Insights
The announcement of Electra's feasibility study for a battery recycling refinery marks a significant strategic development in North America's critical minerals supply chain. The project leverages three key competitive advantages: proven hydrometallurgical technology from their 40-tonne demonstration, existing infrastructure at their cobalt refinery and strategic partnerships with both Three Fires Group and Green Li-ion.
The timing is particularly strategic as the North American battery recycling market faces a critical inflection point. Currently, most black mass processing occurs in Asia, creating a significant supply chain vulnerability for North American automakers. Electra's closed-loop partnership model with battery manufacturers addresses this gap while potentially capturing higher margins through vertical integration.
The
Key success factors will include:
- Optimization of recovery rates for high-value materials (lithium, nickel, cobalt)
- Processing cost efficiency compared to Asian competitors
- Ability to secure consistent black mass feedstock through partnerships
- Integration efficiencies with their primary cobalt refining operations
While the feasibility study represents a positive step, investors should monitor several critical metrics: capital requirements for commercial scale operations, timeline to implementation and projected processing capacity. The project's success could position Electra as a key player in the circular economy for EV batteries, potentially creating significant value through both environmental and economic benefits.
TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the commencement of a feasibility level engineering study to build a battery recycling refinery adjacent to its cobalt refinery north of Toronto. The study will build on the technology and expertise accumulated during a year-long black mass recycling trial, whereby Electra produced technical grade lithium and a nickel and cobalt product from end of life lithium batteries.
Electra is establishing relationships with North American battery makers, offering a closed-loop partnership to return critical minerals back into the domestic supply chain. Currently, most black mass produced from battery scrap is shipped to Asia for refining, depriving automakers of the ability to control their critical minerals supply chain. Electra’s joint venture with the Three Fires Group, Aki Battery Recycling, will build a pretreatment facility for battery scrap, with the resulting black mass material shipped to Electra for refining.
“Having developed a proprietary hydrometallurgical process, this feasibility study is a critical step in advancing towards a commercial recycling facility,” said Mark Trevisiol, Electra’s Vice President of Project Development. “It builds on the knowledge gained from our previous 40-tonne demonstration plant and allows us to optimize our processes for a scalable commercial operation. As a first mover in North American cobalt sulfate production, we are leveraging our expertise in the domestic refining of black mass and further solidifying our leadership in sustainable battery material solutions.”
Dr. George Puvvada, Electra’s Vice President of Metallurgy & Technology, added, “At Electra, we are applying in-house innovation and technology in an incremental fashion to our existing hydrometallurgical process. This approach is about leveraging a strong, established foundation and the expertise of our experienced team to minimize risk. By doing so, we enhance efficiency, create higher-value products, and reinforce our position at the forefront of the battery materials sector.”
Electra has retained Green Li-ion to assist with the engineering and feasibility studies. Green Li-ion is a U.S.-based company in the business of providing engineered services and recycling technology solutions. Green Li-ion also has an operating black mass processing facility in Atoka, Oklahoma. Subject to the outcome of the feasibility study among other considerations, Electra may elect to purchase processing equipment through Green Li-ion for operation at Electra’s Refinery Site in Ontario.
“Electra’s core strategy is to reduce North America’s reliance on critical minerals from China by building a reliable and resilient domestic supply chain,” said Electra CEO, Trent Mell. “Through our proprietary hydrometallurgical process, tailored to meet the needs of a growing recycling market, we have consistently demonstrated the capability to produce high-quality, saleable products, including technical-grade lithium carbonate, nickel-cobalt MHP, and graphite.”
Black mass, the material remaining once lithium-ion batteries or battery scrap material are shredded and all casings separated, contains high-value elements, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and graphite, which can be recovered and recycled to make new batteries. In 2023, Electra commenced the processing of 40 tonnes of black mass at its refining complex north of Toronto to trial its proprietary recycling process. In June of 2024, the Company received C
Electra’s immediate priority is to complete construction of North America’s first battery grade cobalt refinery. The Company’s longer-term vision includes battery recycling and nickel production, thereby onshoring additional critical mineral refining processes needed for the North American electric vehicle battery supply chain.
About Electra Battery Materials
Electra is a leader in advancing North America’s critical minerals supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. Currently focused on developing North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra is executing a phased strategy to onshore critical minerals refining and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. In addition to establishing the cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra’s strategy includes nickel refining and battery recycling. Growth projects include integrating black mass recycling at its existing refining complex, evaluating opportunities for cobalt production in Bécancour, Quebec, and exploring nickel sulfate production potential within North America. For more information, please visit www.ElectraBMC.com.
Contact
Heather Smiles
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Electra Battery Materials
info@ElectraBMC.com
1.416.900.3891
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This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the bases for assumptions with respect to the potential for additional government funding are discussions and indications of support from government actors based on certain milestones being achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set forth in the management discussion and analysis and other disclosures of risk factors for Electra Battery Materials Corporation, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and with on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Other factors that could lead actual results to differ materially include changes with respect to government or investor expectations or actions as compared to communicated intentions, and general macroeconomic and other trends that can affect levels of government or private investment. Although the Company believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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