Aqua Metals expands its LIB recycling vision

Reno, Nevada-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycler Aqua Metals Inc. is focusing on an “accelerated pathway” intended to increase revenue and margin at its planned commercial-scale AquaRefining facility at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC).

To streamline market entry, optimize capital efficiency, scale core patented and licensable technology and meet evolving customer demands, the company says it intends to prioritize the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate—more than doubling the initial production targets. Mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), a nickel and cobalt product, along with copper and manganese, will make up the rest of Aqua Metals’ product suite at its Sierra Arc recycling campus.

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Aqua Metals says this near-term focus should enable faster and larger revenue generation, additional technology validation at scale and expanded industry partnership potential while maintaining a clear roadmap for scaling toward high-purity metal refining that will eventually complement the lithium carbonate production.

Aqua Metals says it already has proven its ability to recover battery-grade lithium and high-purity nickel and cobalt from spent batteries and manufacturing scrap at its pilot facility. By prioritizing lithium carbonate and MHP production, the company believes it can accelerate commercialization, reduce remaining capital requirements to complete the Sierra Arc and position itself as a key supplier of domestic, low-carbon, battery-grade materials. The scalable nature of AquaRefining is the basis upon which the company believes that full metal refining remains within reach as part of future scaling.

The company will continue qualifying battery-grade materials with its pilot program and through ongoing engagements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), cell and cathode active material (CAM) manufacturers. It adds that its scalable technology should provide an easy transition to refining battery-grade nickel and cobalt sulfates and lithium hydroxide as market conditions and partner demand evolve.

“We are taking a smart, market-driven approach that we believe will allow us to scale faster, generate revenue sooner and strengthen our position in the domestic critical minerals supply chain,” Aqua Metals CEO Steve Cotton says. “Our proven technology can already refine MHP into pure metals, but prioritizing a higher-throughput facility should allow us to increase the production of our highest margin material, battery-grade lithium carbonate. This plan is designed to accelerate commercialization while maintaining full compatibility with our long-term vision for battery-grade materials that close the loop domestically.”

The company says it is in active discussions with feedstock suppliers and offtake partners and is continuing to engage with several prospective financial backers. It expects to be able to provide updates later in the first quarter of this year.