Ascend Elements has achieved a major milestone in the domestic critical minerals sector by producing lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) with a purity level of over 99% from black mass at a commercial scale. Black mass is a fine, dark powder obtained from used lithium-ion batteries during the recycling process.
Last month, the company successfully operated a three kiloton-per-year lithium recovery line at its Covington, Georgia recycling facility. This demonstration proves the commercial viability of large-scale lithium recovery and recycling. Ascend Elements now aims to ramp up production to more than 15,000 metric tons of recycled Li₂CO₃ annually across the United States and Europe by 2027.
Expanding Global Footprint
Alongside the Georgia plant, Ascend Elements plans to establish a state-of-the-art battery materials facility and advanced lithium recovery line in Europe. Linh Austin, President and CEO of Ascend Elements, emphasized the company’s role in driving three key trends: electrification, localization, and critical minerals security. “Our production of recycled lithium carbonate marks a significant achievement in all these areas,” Austin said. “By scaling up in the U.S. and Europe, we are strengthening energy independence, ensuring critical mineral security, and accelerating the shift toward electrification.”
Strategic Importance of Lithium Carbonate
Lithium carbonate is a vital material for lithium-ion batteries, as well as glass and ceramic production. It is listed as a critical mineral by the U.S. federal government (August 2025). Presently, 98% of U.S. lithium carbonate imports originate from South America, while Europe depends heavily on South America and China for supply. Domestic mining and processing capacities in both regions remain extremely limited.
Austin highlighted the efficiency of recycling: “Recovering lithium from black mass is the smartest way to secure this resource. The concentration of lithium in black mass is ten times higher than that found in Chilean brine pools.”
Sustainability Advantage Over Mining
Ascend Elements’ lithium recovery process offers a much cleaner alternative to conventional mining. A recent life cycle assessment found that the process results in:
*86% lower CO₂ emissions and 97% lower PM2.5 emissions compared to spodumene mining.
*37% lower CO₂ emissions and 81% lower PM2.5 emissions compared to Chilean brine extraction.
As per the press release, looking ahead, the company plans to achieve up to 99% lower CO₂ emissions and 99.7% lower PM2.5 emissions by 2030 through additional decarbonization initiatives.
