Li-Cycle, Univar partner to provide waste management solutions for lithium-ion batteries

Li-Cycle Corp., a recycler of lithium-ion batteries based in Mississauga, Ontario, has formed a partnership with Univar Solutions OnSite Services, a specialty chemical and ingredient distributor based in Downers Grove, Illinois, to provide waste management solutions for lithium-ion batteries. Through the partnership, Li-Cycle and Univar Solutions customers will have a new waste management option for lithium-ion battery scrap across several manufacturing verticals, including the North American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing market.

Li-Cycle uses a commercial process to recover materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries through partnerships with large automotive and battery manufacturers, and Univar Solutions offers waste and byproduct management programs, servicing the automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics and manufacturing sectors. According to a news release from Li-Cycle, the partnership will leverage Univar’s expertise in collecting, sorting and diverting waste on-site at its facilities with Li-Cycle becoming a partner for responsibly managing lithium-ion battery scrap.

“This new partnership with Univar Solutions will enable us to deliver additional value for both new and existing customers by providing them with total waste management solutions as it pertains to lithium-ion batteries,” says Ajay Kochhar, co-founder and CEO of Li-Cycle. “We are constantly looking for ways to support our growing customer base and promote more economically and environmentally sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling, which in turn helps create new sources of critical materials for the end consumer.”

Stephen Molica, vice president of services for Univar Solutions, adds, “We believe this partnership will help enhance best-in-class sustainability solutions of our OnSite Services portfolio and look forward to further supporting our customers’ important sustainability goals using Li-Cycle’s solutions.”