American Manganese Inc. (TSX-V:AMY, OTCQB:AMYZF), doing business as RecycLiCo Battery Materials, said its advanced battery recycling and upcycling process has the potential to produce lower levels of carbon-dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions when producing lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) compared with traditional methods.
The findings were reported in a life cycle assessment (LCA) completed by Minviro Ltd, a UK-based and globally recognized sustainability and life cycle assessment consultancy.
Minviro estimates that for every kilogram of LHM being produced, the RecycLiCo process would potentially release 3.3 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions, far below the estimated 12.7 kg of CO2 emissions, based on industry averages, for traditional mining and refining. This means that on average, for every 100,000 new electric vehicle (EV) battery packs produced using LHM from the RecycLiCo process, potentially 40,570 tonnes - roughly the weight of 300 blue whales - of CO2 equivalent emissions may be avoided.
READ: American Manganese says RecycLiCo Battery Materials achieves over 99% lithium recovery from lithium iron phosphate battery cathode material
"More investors are looking to support organizations that promote sustainability and comply with emerging climate change regulations. To make these key decisions, ESG impacts have become an increasingly important part of the investment process, and those investors who value a company's assets based on ESG factors, can take comfort in LCA results completed by a professional and independent LCA consultancy under ISO standards,” Zarko Meseldzija, CTO of American Manganese said in a statement.
The LCA report, first released in July 2022, was an in-depth study of RecycLiCo's lithium-ion battery waste recycling and upcycling process, assessing the company's process against competing hydrometallurgical recycling methods and the industry average for primary extraction. The LCA considered all material and energy inputs such as scope 1, 2, and 3 CO2 emissions and was conducted in accordance with ISO-14040:2006 and ISO-14044:2006 standards, including a critical review of the LCA by independent experts.
Minviro is a London-based and globally recognized consultancy and technology company specializing in carrying out life cycle assessments in the technology metal space. The company provides quantitative environmental and climate impact data for mineral resource projects, battery manufacturers and OEMs to make environmentally informed decisions
American Manganese is a battery materials company focused on recycling and upcycling lithium-ion battery waste. With minimal processing steps and up to 100% extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, the patented, closed-loop hydrometallurgical process creates valuable lithium-ion battery materials for direct integration into the re-manufacturing of new lithium-ion batteries.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com