American Manganese Inc has updated investors on the progress of building its recycling demonstration plant in Greater Vancouver, saying it expects to receive major equipment for the project throughout the rest of 2021.
The company, along with partner Kemetco Research, has developed a technology, which upcycles lithium-ion battery waste into high-value battery cathode materials using its so-called 'RecycLiCo' process.
Planning for the plant began in March this year, following a C$2.7 million contract signed between the two firms and work to date has included process flow sheet design and equipment orders to match the planned 500 kg/day processing capacity of lithium-ion battery cathode waste.
"With multiple patents, technical publications, and rigorous testing, American Manganese sets itself apart with its methodical approach in developing RecycLiCo as an advanced lithium-ion battery cathode upcycling process, and it gives me confidence in future scale-up efforts," Larry Reaugh, CEO of American Manganese said in a statement.
READ: American Manganese produces lithium sulfate at 99.99% purity using its recycling technology
"The demonstration plant provides a tool for licensing or joint developing our RecycLiCo patented process with potential industry leaders," Reaugh added.
The American Manganese CEO also noted that "most of the existing commercial recycling facilities treat end-of-life batteries using rudimentary methods, producing low-value products without further processing".
"The RecycLiCo demonstration plant plans to support the knowledge gap in developing commercial hydrometallurgical recycling facilities that recover high-quality, value-added battery materials," he said.
Earlier in October, American Manganese reported that it had raised around C$20 million after closing a previously announced private placing, earmarked to pay for working capital and general corporate purposes.
This financing had come "at an opportune time, given the current market conditions, said Reaugh today as it "puts the company in a favorable position toward its road to commercialization".
Also in October, American Manganese reported that it had produced lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) at a purity of 99.99%, using its recycling technology, which upcycles spent lithium-ion batteries.
That bulk sample of lithium sulfate has now been sent to an international lithium producer, the critical metals group had said.
The company highlighted that throughout its research and development (R&D) and its pilot plant project, it had successfully produced other lithium derivatives such as lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, emphasizing that the process can adapt to changing needs within the lithium-ion battery industry.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com