Aqua Metals, Inc. (Oakland, Calif.; www.aquametals.com), a developer of a electrochemical lead recycling technology, announced it has broken ground for construction on its new AquaRefinery commercial battery-recycling facility in McCarran, Nev.
In June 2015, Aqua Metals purchased 11.7 acres at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) in McCarran, Nev. for the new facility. The region and site were chosen for their excellent infrastructure, logistics, favorable business climate and inadequate service by existing battery recycling smelters. The approximately 125,000-ft2 building is expected to be completed and begin production in the second quarter of 2016. The company anticipates reaching full operating capacity of 80 metric tons (m.t.) of lead output by the fourth quarter of 2016.
The facility and AquaRefining technology is designed to substantially reduce the inefficiency, costs and toxic waste associated with conventional lead-acid battery recycling. The company believes that AquaRefining will deliver a better product at a higher yield, substantially eliminate toxic waste, reduce permitting and be less expensive to build than a conventional smelting recycling plant.
“With the recent completion of our IPO, we have now broken ground on the world’s first AquaRefinery in Nevada,” said Dr. Stephen Clarke, chairman and CEO of Aqua Metals. “This next step toward commercial operations is an important milestone in our mission to build an environmentally sustainable lead recycling company and we believe we have chosen an ideal location.”
Steve Cotton, chief commercial officer of Aqua Metals added, “We have been delighted in working with officials from Storey County, EDAWN (Economic Development Administration of Western Nevada), and the USDA Rural Development team who all participated in and added greatly to our groundbreaking event.”