Electra makes first shipment of recycled nickel-cobalt produced in Ontario

Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSXV: ELBM) has made its first customer shipment of nickel-cobalt produced at its refinery complex in Temiskaming Shores, Ont., from recycled battery material. The nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate product was produced using Electra’s proprietary hydrometallurgical process as part of the company’s black mass recycling trial.

Trent Mell, Electra CEO said, “The first customer delivery of product from our refinery marks another important milestone on the path to commercializing our black mass refining capabilities.” He added that since the trial’s launch in late 2022, they have proven that their proprietary process works successfully and produces high-quality products.

Black mass is the material remaining once expired lithium-ion batteries are shredded and all casings removed. It contains high-value elements, including nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, and graphite, that can be recycled to produce new lithium-ion batteries. Electra launched its black mass trial at the end of December 2022 with the goal of validating its hydrometallurgical process in a plant-scale setting and testing its refinery equipment.

Since the start of its black mass trial, Electra has achieved several milestones, including the successful completion of the first plant-scale recycling of black mass material in North America and the recovery of lithium using its proprietary process. The company has also received a commitment for a strategic investment from the Indigenous Three Fires Group, which is expected to help accelerate its battery recycling strategy in North America.

For more information, visit www.ElectraBMC.com.