Bengaluru-based startup Metastable Materials, specialising in extracting metals from lithium-ion batteries, commenced its commercial operations, according to co-founder and Chief of Industrial Engineering, Manikumar Uppala.
The company utilizes a proprietary technology known as “integrated carbothermal reduction.” The process involves shredding used batteries to separate the lithium-based cathode and graphite anode, which are then placed in a furnace.
At a temperature of 600 degrees Celsius, the carbon (graphite) interacts with the lithium to produce lithium carbonate,Nadi Airtechnics Commits ₹15 Crore to Expand Capacity and Explore Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Marketsz which subsequently dissolves in water. After evaporating the water, lithium carbonate remains, a substance that has a strong market demand. For extracting other metals, Metastable employs alternative techniques such as magnetic separation.
Uppala emphasised that the Metastable Materials process is environmentally friendly and more efficient than hydrometallurgy, which relies on chemicals that require safe disposal. In contrast, traditional pyrometallurgy methods operate at temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Celsius and yield lower returns.
Founded in 2021, Metastable secured $150,000 in pre-seed funding the following year, enabling the establishment of a research and development laboratory in Bengaluru. In subsequent seed funding rounds, investors such as Sequoia (now Peak XV Partners), Speciale Invest, and Theia Ventures contributed an undisclosed amount.
As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the startup aims to significantly increase its processing capacity from 500 to 5,000 kilograms per day.
