Blue Whale Materials LLC, established in 2015, specializes in sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling solutions. Based in Washington, DC, with operations in South Korea, the company transforms end-of-life batteries into valuable resources through advanced processing methods. Their proprietary technology produces Blacksand™, a premium product containing essential minerals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, supporting the growing electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.
Battery Technology
Blue Whale Materials’ technological foundation rests on its innovative approach to lithium-ion battery recycling. Their processing system efficiently discharges spent batteries and converts them into high-concentration Blacksand™, achieving recovery rates up to 98% for valuable materials like cobalt and nickel. This process significantly reduces contaminants while maximizing mineral extraction efficiency.
The company’s testing facility in Greenfield, Indiana, conducts thorough evaluations of various battery chemistries, including performance testing, abuse testing, and end-of-life assessment. This comprehensive approach enables optimal resource recovery and supports battery reuse initiatives.
The flagship processing facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, scheduled to begin operations in early 2025, will process up to 50,000 tons of battery feedstock annually. This capacity translates to producing sufficient critical minerals to power more than 100,000 electric vehicles yearly, demonstrating the substantial impact of their technology on sustainable transportation solutions.
Recent Projects
In early 2024, Blue Whale Materials secured a $55 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand their Bartlesville facility. This expansion project will create 150 permanent positions and 180 construction jobs, with $3 million dedicated to workforce development.
The company initiated a significant environmental program on Earth Day 2024, joining the National Forest Foundation Sapling Program. This partnership commits to planting one tree in U.S. National Forests for every metric ton of batteries recycled, potentially resulting in 14,000 new trees annually.
Investors
Blue Whale Materials receives substantial backing from Ara Partners, a private equity firm focused on industrial decarbonization. In 2022, Ara Partners invested $80 million to support the development of Blue Whale Materials’ battery recycling network.
The company recently established a strategic partnership with Alus, a Korean aluminum specialist, through a Letter of Intent. This collaboration aims to enhance production capabilities and facilitate Alus’s entry into the U.S. battery materials market.
Business Details
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Website: https://bluewhalematerials.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluewhalematerials