The American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) has commenced operations at its commercial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility situated at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in McCarran, Nevada. This system sets ABTC apart from conventional recycling methods, as it efficiently separates, recovers, and purifies high-value battery-grade products while minimizing environmental impact and achieving greater cost efficiencies.
In contrast to traditional battery recycling techniques involving high-temperature furnaces or indiscriminate shredding and grinding systems, ABTC’s integrated battery recycling system employs a de-manufacturing and targeted chemical extraction process. This innovative approach enables ABTC to retrieve battery materials with high yields, reduced costs, and a smaller environmental footprint. As operations expand, the facility will be capable of processing over 20,000 metric tonnes of battery feedstock materials annually.
During the initial phase of operations, the facility will transform battery feedstock materials into recycled products, including copper, aluminum, steel, a lithium intermediate, and a black mass intermediate material. These recovered materials will be distributed through a marketing agreement with TechMet-Mercuria, a global metals trading company.
As reported by EnergyTech, in the subsequent phase, the facility will further refine the lithium intermediate to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Additionally, the black mass intermediate will undergo further refinement to yield battery-grade nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium hydroxide products.
