Ascend Elements, Koura to explore graphite recycling in US

Westborough, Massachusetts-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycler Ascend Elements and Koura, the fluorinated solutions business of Orbia, have agreed to explore joint commercialization of the patented Hydro-to-Anode graphite recycling technology and discuss plans to build an advanced graphite recycling facility in the U.S.

Unveiled in February 2022, the Hydro-to-Anode technology produces 99.9 percent pure graphite from end-of-life LIBs and battery manufacturing scrap, according to Ascend, which adds that commercialization of the technology will provide a new source of battery-grade anode materials for North America’s growing electric vehicle (EV) battery industry.

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Ascend says, until now, it has focused on producing engineered cathode materials from recycled LIBs, primarily cathode precursor (pCAM) and cathode active materials (CAM), and the ability to recover graphite for use in batteries improves the economics of battery recycling and further minimizes the need for mining. Additionally, the company says graphite processed in the U.S. is compliant with Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements for EVs to qualify for the 30D tax credit.

“We’re rethinking the way we use the planet’s resources and reaching higher to recover the maximum value in used lithium-ion batteries,” Ascend CEO Mike O’Kronley says. “Graphite recycling is nothing new, but traditional graphite recycling methods do not produce a battery-grade product. The graphite recovered in most battery recycling processes is typically of a lower purity and must be used in non-battery applications. Our Hydro-to-Anode process can produce 99.9 percent pure graphite, which even exceeds battery-grade requirements. It’s a game-changer for the industry.”

Ascend and Koura currently are in discussions to supply IRA-compliant, battery-grade graphite to several EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and battery manufacturers. The companies have not yet disclosed a location or timeline for construction of the new facility.

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“Orbia is continuing efforts to establish a sustainable North America supply chain of critical battery materials,” says Miki Oljaca, vice president of growth and technology at Koura. “We have been developing technology for graphite purification and believe our joint collaboration with Ascend Elements will accelerate the adoption of recycled graphite anodes.”

Orbia has global headquarters in Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv, Israel.