Electra Battery Materials Corp announced the launch of a demonstration plant designed to recover high-value elements found in lithium-ion batteries, which it expects to complete in the first quarter of 2023.
The company said it would process up to 75 tonnes of black mass material in a batch mode using its proprietary hydrometallurgical process.
"Consistent with our timelines, our project team has done an excellent job in preparing what will be the first of its kind facility in North America to recover critical metals contained in end-of-life electric vehicle and other lithium-ion batteries," explained Mark Trevisiol, Electra’s vice-president of project development.
"The launch of the black mass demonstration plant is indicative of Electra’s metallurgical expertise and potential of our refinery complex to address North America’s requirement for battery-grade materials," he added.
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CEO of the company Trent Mell noted: "Pending completion of the demonstration plant and a review of project economics, success would pave the way towards commercialization and the buildout of a 5,000 tonne per annum black mass processing facility within our battery materials park in Ontario using existing infrastructure, personnel, and lab facility.
"Combined with our planned production of cobalt, nickel, and manganese sulfates, commercialization of our black mass recycling capabilities will diversify our cash flow and customer base."
Currently commissioning North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra is a processor of low-carbon, ethically sourced battery materials.
Ahead of the launch of this black mass demonstration plant, the firm completed process development and engineering on recycling black mass material.
It previously sourced black mass samples from suppliers in North America, Europe, and Asia, studied the feed characteristics, and developed a hydrometallurgical process to recover contained lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and graphite.
Pending the successful completion of the plant, Electra said it would assess whether to continue processing black mass throughout 2023 with material supplied by its business partners or from third parties.
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