Electra Battery Materials Corporation announced on September 24, 2024, that it has successfully produced lithium carbonate with a purity exceeding 99%, classified as technical grade. This development demonstrates the company’s ability to produce high-quality technical and battery-grade products from its black mass recycling initiative.
According to Trent Mell, CEO of Electra, the company’s proprietary hydrometallurgical process has consistently produced high-quality, saleable products, including lithium carbonate, nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), and graphite. Mell stated that achieving technical grade lithium carbonate at a plant scale may be a first in North America and emphasized the importance of developing both an onshore supply chain and a closed-loop solution for battery recycling as electric vehicle adoption rates increase.
Earlier this year, Electra received a funding commitment of C$5 million from the Government of Canada to advance this phase of its business. Mell indicated that results like this will help drive the program forward as the company looks to scale up. He also mentioned the new joint venture with the Three Fires Group, Aki Battery Recycling, as a critical component in solidifying the future of Electra’s recycling program by providing a steady source of black mass for future continuous operations.
Mark Trevisiol, Vice President of Project Development, commented that this achievement complements the company’s prior production of nickel-cobalt MHP and graphite, supporting the business case for a larger, continuous recycling process. He noted that the accomplishment was made possible by leveraging existing assets and minimizing costs.
Black mass, the material remaining after expired lithium-ion batteries are shredded and casings are separated, contains valuable elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and graphite. In 2023, Electra began processing 40 tonnes of black mass at its refining complex north of Toronto to trial its proprietary recycling process. The program is believed to be the first plant-scale hydrometallurgical recycling of black mass material in North America and resulted in the successful recovery of MHP, lithium carbonate, graphite, and other commercial products.
Recycling battery materials is expected to become increasingly important in reducing the carbon footprint of the electric vehicle supply chain and decreasing reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals, given the strong demand and anticipated supply deficits for metals such as nickel and cobalt.
Aki Battery Recycling, the joint venture between Electra and the Three Fires Group announced on September 18, 2024, will source and process end-of-life and off-spec lithium-ion batteries from manufacturers to produce black mass at a new facility in southern Ontario. The black mass will then be processed using Electra’s proprietary method at its Ontario hydrometallurgical refinery to recover critical minerals for reintroduction into the battery supply chain.
Electra’s immediate priority is to recommission and expand its Ontario cobalt refinery. The company’s long-term vision includes battery recycling and nickel production, aiming to onshore additional critical mineral refining processes needed for the North American electric vehicle battery supply chain.
Source: Electra Battery Materials News
