Aqua Metals has signed a definitive agreement with ACME Metal Enterprise to deploy and license AquaRefining lead battery recycling equipment at the latter’s facility in Keelung, Taiwan.
The partnership includes joint development of a process for converting lead briquettes into lead oxide using a ball mill to which ACME will have rights throughout Taiwan.
The agreement includes terms for licensing, and ACME considering licensing AquaRefining to other parties in Taiwan.
The agreement also defines a phased deployment of AquaRefining technology and provisions for both firms to develop a second methodology to produce oxide directly from recycled material.
ACME refines lead bullion into lead alloys for sale to battery manufacturers.
Aqua Metals intends to begin shipping Aqualyzers and supporting equipment to ACME for phase one of the deployment, which is expected to begin operating by the fourth quarter of this year.
The Aqualyzers will enable ACME to produce ultrapure lead metal in Taiwan.
In January, Aqua Metals announced it had developed a process for converting briquettes into lead oxide through the Barton pot method (melting).
With the addition of the ball mill process, Aqua Metals says it will have the potential to produce oxide using the two industry-standard processes.
Linus Lu, managing director, ACME, said: “We are now uniquely qualified to expand our business with large battery manufacturers who understand the immediate need to embrace new innovations that drive towards net zero emissions and improve worker safety.
“We look forward to working with Aqua Metals to be a leader in transforming the lead recycling and battery manufacturing industry in Asia.”
The specific financial terms of the agreement will remain proprietary for commercial and competitive reasons.
