January 12, 2023: Aqua Metals mentioned on January 11 that it obtained the primary battery metallic from spent lithium-ion batteries at manufacturing scale by means of electroplating.
The corporate claims that its pilot Li AquaRefining system (see photograph of the pilot facility) has confirmed its skill to take away impurities and hint metals from tons of recycled lithium batteries. black mass after which “select to recuperate the pure metallic utilizing electrical energy” as a substitute of utilizing furnaces or chemical processes.
Aqua Metals is one in every of a number of firms competing within the house for pleasant recycling of lithium battery elements. RecycLiCo Battery Supplies (previously American Manganese) introduced in November vital progress in its hydrometallurgical testing and its demonstration plant has superior to the following stage of RecycLiCo’s patented course of to reveal lithium restoration on a demo-scale.
Aqua Metals mentioned copper was the primary product recovered utilizing the method and the corporate mentioned it intends to comply with by recovering lithium hydroxide, nickel, cobalt, and manganese dioxide.
Aqua Metals president and CEO Steve Cotton mentioned the transfer represents a “vital milestone” in supporting the event of a home provide chain within the US for supplies wanted by electrical car and battery producers. vitality storage system.
