Neometals Ltd is an Australian company that develops sustainable processing technologies for recycling and recovering critical materials from waste streams. Founded and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: NMT), the company has established itself as a significant player in battery materials recovery and sustainable resource management. Their business model centers on creating value through innovative technology development, particularly in lithium-ion battery recycling and vanadium recovery. The company operates through strategic partnerships and joint ventures, implementing flexible commercial approaches to meet market demands while maintaining strong environmental standards.
Battery Technology
Neometals’ primary technological advancement is their proprietary two-stage battery recycling process. The first stage, known as the ‘Spoke’ phase, involves mechanical processing where batteries are safely discharged, shredded, and separated into their component materials. The second stage, called the ‘Hub’ phase, utilizes hydrometallurgical processing to recover high-purity battery materials including nickel, cobalt, lithium, and manganese.
The company has also developed the ELiTM Electrolysis Process, a patented technology for producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide. This process can utilize both brine and hard-rock feedstocks, offering flexibility in raw material sourcing. Their vanadium recovery technology processes steel slag to produce high-purity vanadium pentoxide, essential for both battery and steel applications.
Through their joint venture with SMS group GmbH (Primobius), Neometals has commercialized these technologies, establishing recycling operations in Germany. The processing facilities can handle both production scrap and end-of-life batteries, achieving recovery rates that support circular economy principles.
Recent Projects
In 2024, Neometals expanded its battery recycling operations through its Primobius joint venture, working with Mercedes-Benz to process production scrap. The company also advanced its vanadium recovery project, making substantial progress in technology validation and commercial negotiations.
A significant development includes their planned delisting from the AIM market (scheduled for February 2025), focusing operations on the ASX listing while maintaining their commitment to international expansion and technology commercialization.
Investors
Notable investors include William Robert Richmond, holding 8.97% of shares (69,026,083 shares), and David Reed with 4.13% ownership (31,813,668 shares). Farjoy Pty Ltd maintains a 2.41% stake, while Christopher Reed holds 1.54%. The company has also attracted institutional investors, including SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF and several DFA investment portfolios.
Business Details
Location: West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Website: https://neometals.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2364909
