Electra Battery Materials Completes Feasibility Study for Advanced Battery Recycling Facility in Ontario

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According to a recent announcement by Electra Battery Materials Corporation, the company has completed a feasibility-level Class 3 Engineering Study for a new modular battery recycling facility near its cobalt sulfate refinery, located north of Toronto.

The facility is designed to recover valuable materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, from lithium-ion battery scrap and end-of-life batteries using Electra’s proprietary hydrometallurgical process. This innovative recycling process was developed and validated through a year-long pilot program, which involved processing black mass sourced from an industry partner, according to the company’s official report.

Looking ahead, the next phase of the project, which is partially funded by Natural Resources Canada, will involve simulating commercial-scale operations to further refine the recycling process. This will include both continuous and semi-continuous processing methods, as noted by Electra in its press release.

Electra’s CEO, Trent Mell, emphasized the strategic importance of this facility, stating that the company is advancing towards creating a fully integrated, domestically sourced battery materials supply chain. The cobalt recovered through this process will be directly fed into Electra’s cobalt sulfate refinery, which is currently under advanced construction. The integration of these operations, according to Mell, will strengthen North America’s energy security and position Electra as a key player in the emerging battery ecosystem.

Furthermore, Electra has partnered with Aki Battery Recycling, a joint venture with the Three Fires Group, to secure a steady supply of black mass feedstock for the facility. Aki Battery Recycling, a majority Indigenous-owned company, is focusing on the responsible recycling of lithium-ion battery waste. According to Mell, the collaboration with Aki will help build a robust pipeline for processing battery scrap and end-of-life batteries in Ontario.

The study also includes a partnership with Green Li-ion, whose modular technology will be used to enhance the recycling process. This collaboration has led to several proprietary improvements, making Electra’s recycling process more competitive in the market.

The development of this facility comes at a time when the demand for critical minerals, such as cobalt, is growing rapidly due to the expanding electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage markets. According to industry experts, cobalt’s role in these technologies is indispensable, making the local recycling of such materials vital for North American energy independence.

Electra’s efforts to recycle and refine critical materials domestically are in line with broader strategic priorities in both Canada and the United States. As the global competition for resources intensifies, particularly from China, the ability to process critical minerals within North America will be essential for national security and energy resilience.

The completion of the feasibility study marks a significant milestone in Electra’s efforts to revolutionize the North American battery supply chain. As the company moves toward the next phase of operation, the focus will be on scaling the project to meet growing demand for recycled materials in the EV and energy storage sectors.

Source: Electra Battery Materials