Cirba Solutions and Jacobs partner to build out battery materials facilities

Cirba Solutions, a battery management and materials processor or end-of-life batteries and gigafactory manufacturing scrap based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has partnered with Dallas-based Jacobs, a professional services company focused on engineering design and facility buildout, to expand manufacturing capacity across North America for electric vehicle (EV) battery materials.

Cirba says that with EVs expected to be 52 percent of total U.S. car sales by 2030, building gout the battery supply chain infrastructure now in preparation of the growing capacity needs is critical.

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“Cirba Solutions’ dedication to sustainability and expertise in lithium-ion processing, critical to powering the EV industry, makes them a great partner for Jacobs,” says Koti Vadlamudi, senior vice president of global business solutions at Jacobs. “Their mission aligns with our purpose: to build a more connected and sustainable world.”

According to Cirba, Jacobs’ recent recognition in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index in December 2022 is an example of how the company’s infrastructure projects in the sustainability sector corresponds to Cirba’s focus on ensuring all aspects of its business support a sustainable approach. Cirba has six operational facilities at present and estimates to have 13 total sites before 2030.

Jacobs is managing the facility design and supporting construction of new operations, including the current $200 million expansion project in Cirba’s lithium-ion processing site in Lancaster, Ohio, that recently received over $82 million in Department of Energy grants. Cirba says these locations will bring hundreds of new jobs to local communities, expand the battery and sustainable sectors while also providing critical materials for EV manufacturing. The company adds that recycled content is expected to make up over 10 percent of the cobalt and nickel supply by 2030 and more than 40 percent of the market by 2050.

“Jacobs’ expertise and knowledge of an environmentally thoughtful approach is consistent with our focus to ensure our construction supports our strategic approach to technology and sustainability,” Cirba Vice President of Operations John Kelly says.