Ecobat touts commissioning 3 LIB recycling plants in a year

Ecobat, a Dallas-based battery recycler, has announced the successful commissioning of three lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling facilities within one year.

The facilities, located in Hettstedt, Germany; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Darlaston, England, are fully operational, the company says, and, together, are capable of processing up to 10,000 tons of LIBs per year, with plans to scale capacity to 25,000 tons.

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Ecobat says the newly commissioned plants focus on the production of black mass material derived from recycled LIBs, which are rich in lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite content. Ecobat says black mass plays a crucial role in enabling the closed-loop production of batteries, reducing the need for new mining and supporting the development of sustainable battery supply chains.

The three facilities are strategically located to meet growing demand for sustainable solutions in key global markets, according to the company:

• Commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Hettstedt facility processes a wide variety of battery chemistries, including electric vehicle (EV) packs, portable electronics, e-bikes and power tools. Ecobat says the facility serves major automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and collection programs across Europe.
• Commissioned in April 2024, the Casa Grande facility works directly with automotive OEMs, battery manufacturers and electronic scrap recyclers to process batteries and recover black mass to serve both the North American and global markets.
• Commissioned in November 2024, the Darlaston site serves as a “critical hub” for Ecobat’s operations across the United Kingdom and the wider European market, it says. The facility processes a range of LIB types and provides diagnostic services and supports sustainable material flows in the British supply chain.

“Ecobat’s rapid expansion in lithium-ion battery recycling demonstrates our commitment to meeting the growing demand for sustainable, closed-loop production processes,” Ecobat Solutions Managing Director Brett Horton says. “With EV sales rising and more end-of-life batteries entering the market, our new facilities are well positioned to meet these challenges, creating value for our partners and stakeholders while helping to drive the transition to a circular economy.”

The company says it continues to expand its global footprint and LIB recycling capabilities and aims to “lead the way” in reducing the environmental impact of battery production and disposal.

“We remain dedicated to driving innovation in battery recycling and advancing our mission to create a cleaner, more sustainable future,” says Stefanie Scruggs, Ecobat’s chief sustainability and health, safety and environment officer.