Ascend Elements, a U.S.-based manufacturer of sustainable battery materials, and Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business, Koura, one of the world’s largest producers of fluoroproducts and technologies, agreed to explore joint commercialization of the patented Hydro-to-Anode graphite recycling technology and discuss plans to build an advanced graphite recycling facility in the United States. Unveiled in February 2022, the Hydro-to-Anode® technology produces 99.9% pure graphite from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap. Commercialization of the innovative technology will provide a new source of battery-grade anode materials for North America’s fast-growing electric vehicle battery industry.
Ascend Elements team members load lithium-ion EV batteries onto a conveyor belt at the company’s battery recycling facility in Covington, Georgia. (Source: Ascend Elements)
Until now, Ascend Elements has focused on producing engineered cathode materials from recycled lithium-ion batteries, primarily cathode precursor (pCAM) and cathode active materials (CAM). The ability to recover graphite for use in batteries improves the economics of battery recycling and further minimizes the need for mining. Additionally, graphite processed in the United States is compliant with Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements for electric vehicles to qualify for the 30D tax credit.
“We’re rethinking the way we use the planet’s resources and reaching higher to recover the maximum value in used lithium-ion batteries,” said Mike O’Kronley, CEO of Ascend Elements. “Graphite recycling is nothing new, but traditional graphite recycling methods do not produce a battery-grade product. The graphite recovered in most battery recycling processes is typically of a lower purity and must be used in non-battery applications. Our Hydro-to-Anode® process can produce 99.9% pure graphite, which even exceeds battery-grade requirements. It’s a game changer for the industry.”
“Orbia is continuing efforts to establish a sustainable North America supply chain of critical battery materials. We have been developing technology for graphite purification and believe our joint collaboration with Ascend Elements will accelerate the adoption of recycled graphite anodes,” said Miki Oljaca, Vice President of Growth and Technology, Orbia Fluorinated Solutions (Koura).
Ascend Elements and Orbia Koura are currently in discussions to supply IRA-compliant, battery-grade graphite to several electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and battery manufacturers. The companies have not yet disclosed a location or timeline for construction of the new facility.