Rock Tech Lithium and Electra Battery Materials have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a collaborative partnership on lithium recycling in Canada.
As part of the MOU, the lithium recycled from Electra's battery recycling operations in Ontario will be transported for refinement in Rock Tech's lithium refineries. This will result in the production of battery-grade lithium chemicals.
By leveraging their processing expertise, the parties plan to develop a closed-loop service. This service aims to recycle Li-ion battery manufacturing scrap, end-of-life batteries and black mass in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Electra CEO Trent Mell said: "Collaboration is crucial to create a closed loop for all critical minerals we recover in our black mass refining operation. Jointly with Rock Tech, we are excited to offer an end-to-end battery recycling solution specifically for the lithium market. The partnership is expected to generate an additional revenue stream for Electra, improve our service offering for our clients and facilitate future growth."
Furthermore, the two companies are considering collaboration opportunities, including the licensing of Electra's technology for application in Europe.
The parties are also looking to collaborate on the co-location of future battery recycling and lithium refining plants.
Rock Tech COO Klaus Schmitz said: "Our collaboration ensures that lithium recovered from the recycling of end-of-life batteries or battery manufacturing scrap is recovered, refined and returned to the battery value chain as battery-grade lithium product. An efficient, environmentally friendly and truly closed recycling loop."
Earlier this year, Rock Tech Lithium secured a permit to initiate early construction work on its lithium converter in Guben, Germany.
Due to be commissioned in 2025, the Guben lithium converter project will be equipped to process spodumene concentrates into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) via the sulphation-causticisation (S-C) route.
The project will have a production capacity of 24,000 tonnes per annum of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, a raw material used by the battery and automotive industries.
