Canadian battery recycler Electra Battery Materials Corporation announced the start of commissioning of its black mass recycling demonstration plant near Toronto.
It said this follows the successful installation of material feed handling and lime delivery systems, two key circuits in its hydrometallurgical process designed to recycle end-of-life lithium-ion battery materials.
Electra is retrofitting its existing cobalt sulfate refinery in Ontario to accommodate its proprietary hydrometallurgical process. This is designed to treat black mass, a by-product of end-of-life EV and other lithium-ion battery recycling.
During the black mass demonstration, Electra plans to process up to 75 tonnes of material in a batch mode. It anticipates recovering high value elements including nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, copper and graphite.
It said the full commissioning of all equipment and circuits of the black mass recycling demonstration should occur in autumn 2022 with the full commissioning of the cobalt sulfate refinery expected in spring 2023.
The test work was conducted using the facilities of SGS Labs in Lakefield, Ontario. Engineering was completed by Electra technical personnel. They were supported by process design engineers from Hatch Associates and mechanical and electrical engineering support from Bestech.
Electra said it will be North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery.
Photo: Electra has installed material feed handling equipment in advance of black mass recycling at its refinery (CNW Group/Electra Battery Materials)
