Canadian lead battery recycling company KC Recycling is to expand its polypropylene recycling facility in Trail, British Columbia.
Local news site catlegarsource.com said it has received C$1.2 million ($869,000) in public funding which it said will enable it to increase the annual volume of high quality plastic resin it produces by 1,000 tons. The upgrade will enable it to accept more feedstock from other recyclers unable to handle the plastic.
The company said its investment would amount to some C$2 million. It will streamline operations and improve bulk material handling, using rail and truck transportation. It will also enable it to reduce contamination in the plastics.
The company has a partnership with US battery manufacturer East Penn, announced in 2022, to recycle and repurpose plastic from spent lead batteries into new batteries.
KC processes plastic from end-of-life lead battery casings to produce polypropylene pellets, which it supplies to manufacturers in North America to make new battery cases, as well as other plastic products.
KC is a member of the Western Canada Battery Hub, a network of battery recycling companies in South Kootenay, a region of BC. It co-operates with Metal Tech Alley battery recycling group.