Ascend Elements Hits Commercial Milestone in U.S. Recycled Lithium Carbonate Production

Photo Credit: Ascend Elements

Ascend Elements has successfully produced high-purity recycled lithium carbonate from used lithium-ion batteries at a commercial scale, marking a breakthrough for domestic critical minerals recovery. According to reports, this achievement positions the company to strengthen energy independence and critical mineral security in the U.S. and Europe.

According to Ascend Elements, last month, the company operated a 3,000 metric-ton-per-year lithium recovery line at its Covington, Georgia facility, converting black mass—a dark powder derived from spent lithium-ion batteries—into over 99% pure lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃). The company plans to scale production to more than 15,000 metric tons annually in the U.S. and Europe by 2027.

In addition to the Georgia facility, Ascend Elements noted that it intends to build a state-of-the-art battery materials plant and advanced lithium recovery line in Europe, further expanding its footprint in the Western lithium supply chain.

“Ascend Elements is at the center of three macro trends: Electrification, localization and critical minerals. Our production of recycled lithium carbonate is an important milestone across all three of these trends,” said Linh Austin, President and CEO of Ascend Elements. “By producing recycled lithium carbonate at commercial scale in the United States and Europe, our team will advance energy independence, critical minerals security and electrification for the Western world.”

As reported by Ascend Elements, the company uses its patented Hydro-to-Cathode® technology to synthesize cathode precursor materials directly from spent batteries. This method improves production efficiency, reduces costs, and lowers carbon emissions compared to conventional processes.

Lithium carbonate is a critical mineral officially included on the U.S. government’s federal critical minerals list (August 2025). It is essential for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, glass, and ceramics. According to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence cited by Ascend Elements, 98% of U.S. lithium carbonate imports currently come from South America, while Europe also relies heavily on imports from South America and China. U.S. domestic and regional production capacity remains limited, making Ascend Elements’ achievement highly significant for supply chain security.

Sustainability assessments cited by Ascend Elements show the company’s recovery process is far cleaner than traditional mining. Compared with conventional spodumene mining, the company’s method reduces CO₂e emissions by 86% and PM2.5 emissions by 97%. Even against Chilean brine extraction, the process lowers CO₂e emissions by 37% and PM2.5 emissions by 81%. The company aims to cut CO₂e emissions by 99% and PM2.5 by up to 99.7% by 2030.

By scaling up recycled lithium carbonate production in the U.S. and Europe, Ascend Elements is advancing sustainable energy, securing critical minerals, and helping drive the global electrification transition.

Sources: Ascend Elements