American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) proudly announced the commencement of operations at its commercial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility, strategically situated in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) in McCarran, Nevada. This development signifies the initiation of ABTC’s unique lithium-ion battery recycling technologies at an industrial scale, marking a significant milestone for the company.
ABTC’s CEO, Ryan Melsert, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for achieving this momentous milestone. He stated, “We are excited to have achieved this major milestone and to now be generating commercial-scale quantities of domestic recycled battery metal products.” Melsert also credited the rapid timeline to securing their industrial facility early in 2023, enabling the acceleration of operations. Furthermore, the company recently obtained updated operational permits for its internally-developed processes, clearing the way for operational readiness.
The cornerstone of ABTC’s integrated battery recycling system is a strategic de-manufacturing process coupled with targeted chemical extraction techniques. This approach facilitates the recovery of battery materials with high yields, low costs, and a reduced environmental footprint. These innovative processes stand in stark contrast to conventional battery recycling methods, which often rely on high-temperature furnaces, such as smelting operations, or less targeted shredding and grinding systems. ABTC’s system is designed to efficiently separate, recover, and purify high-value, battery-grade products while minimizing environmental impact and enhancing cost efficiencies.
The commercial facility in Nevada has the capacity to process over 20,000 metric tonnes of battery feedstock materials annually when fully operational. During this initial phase, the facility will process these feedstock materials into recycled products, including copper, aluminum, steel, a lithium intermediate, and a black mass intermediate material. These recycled materials will be marketed through an agreement with the global metals trader TechMet-Mercuria. In the subsequent phase, the lithium intermediate will undergo further refinement into battery-grade lithium hydroxide, and the black mass intermediate material will be transformed into battery-grade nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium hydroxide products.
Andrés Meza, Chief Operating Officer for American Battery Technology Company, emphasized the diligent work of the company’s teams in research & development, engineering, project management, and operations. Meza noted the rapid progress made from gaining access to the new site to commencing commercial operations in less than six months. He also expressed appreciation for the support received from Storey County and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) in permitting and establishing the innovative recycling processes.
ABTC’s advanced approach to lithium-ion battery recycling is not only contributing to the responsible management of battery waste but also ensuring the efficient recovery and reuse of critical materials, aligning with the global push for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the battery industry.