Ascend Elements starts producing lithium carbonate from used lithium-ion batteries

     Ascend Elements will begin the production of over 99% pure, sustainable lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) extracted from old lithium-ion batteries at their Covington, Georgia facility in 2025. The startup intends to manufacture up to 3,000 metric tons of sustainable, domestically sourced Li2CO3 annually. At now, recycled Li2CO3 is not manufactured on a commercial scale at any location within the United States. The sole additional domestic source of Li2CO3 is a mining operation located in Nevada.

     Li2CO3 is utilized in the production of sophisticated batteries for grid-scale energy storage, as well as for electric automobiles, boats, and aircraft. Additionally, Ascend Elements’ novel lithium recovery technique generates significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions than traditional methods such as mining and brine extraction.

     Ascend Elements' novel lithium extraction method generates just 2.27 kg of CO2 emissions for every 1 kilogram of Li2CO3 generated. In contrast, spodumene mining generates roughly 16.7 kilograms of CO2 emissions for every 1 kg of Li2CO3, but Chilean brine extraction results in approximately 3.6 kg of CO2 emissions per 1 kg of Li2CO3. These initial comparisons derive from a life cycle assessment (LCA) that has not yet undergone rigorous scrutiny.

     The Ascend Elements facility in Covington is among the largest lithium-ion battery recycling operations in North America. Operational since August 2022, the facility possesses the capability to recycle up to 30,000 metric tons of lithium-ion battery materials annually, equivalent to around 70,000 electric vehicle battery packs each year.

     Established in 2015 and located in Massachusetts, Ascend Elements is a prominent supplier of sustainable, closed-loop battery material solutions. In addition to battery recycling, the company manufactures sustainable lithium-ion battery materials, such as Li2CO3, NMC pCAM, and NMC CAM derived from recovered battery components. Ascend Elements’ unique Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis technique generates fresh cathode material from used lithium-ion cells more effectively than conventional methods, leading to enhanced economics and reduced carbon emissions.