AMY upcycles EV battery black mass into cathode precursor
American Manganese Inc. (AMY) has reported the successful upcycling of lithium-ion battery black mass into NMC-622 (nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide) cathode precursor, using AMY’s RecycLiCo closed-loop process.
The black mass feedstock was produced by mechanical size reduction of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, resulting in a powder substance that contains critical battery materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, as well as copper, aluminium, and graphite.
American Manganese sourced and tested the samples of black mass from an electric vehicle manufacturer for demonstration of the RecycLiCo process and validation of its products.
Lab-scale testing of the black mass samples demonstrated a 99% leach extraction efficiency of lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt. The resulting pregnant leach solution (PLS) was then adjusted to the desired ratio of nickel, manganese, and cobalt before the direct co-precipitation of the NMC-622 cathode precursor.
As seen in the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) scans, the RecycLiCo™ NMC-622 product shares the same high-quality technical specifications – such as particle morphology, size, and distribution – found in conventional lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials produced from mined raw materials
“RecycLiCo is a critical resource solution, not waste disposal. Our focus is more than just breaking down waste material. We have been focused on the upcycling of waste lithium-ion battery cathode materials to create useful, high-value products and I’m proud to demonstrate our processing efficiency to industry leaders that recognize the potential benefits of integrating RecycLiCo alongside their facilities,” said Larry Reaugh, President and CEO of American Manganese.
“Our continued success in upcycling EV battery production scrap and black mass broadens our business strategy and potential for strategic partners.”
American Manganese offers an advanced upcycling solution of cathode waste – from battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries – into cathode precursors with one closed-loop process, therefore, reducing traditional battery supply chain complexity, cost, and pollution.
Compared to competing recycling technologies that create lower-value products, the RecycLiCo claims closed-loop and integrated processing strategy that offers a more practical, cost-effective, and efficient solution for achieving a circular economy
