Aqua Metals completes bench-scale testing for LFP recycling process

Aqua Metals (AQMS) announced the completion of bench-scale testing and engineering analysis for a novel process to recycle lithium iron phosphate battery materials. This milestone highlights Aqua Metals’ proven ability to rapidly adapt its technology to market needs, reinforcing its position as a leader in building a resilient, circular battery supply chain that retains critical mineral processing within the United States. LFP batteries are rapidly becoming the dominant chemistry for electric vehicles and stationary storage due to their lower cost and safety advantages. However, their widespread adoption presents a significant recycling challenge, as iron-based cathodes with no nickel or cobalt have lower market value and global lithium prices remain suppressed. While most domestic recyclers continue to focus on higher-value chemistries, Aqua Metals is stepping ahead of the curve with a demonstrated approach to recovering lithium from LFP black mass-positioning itself as a first mover in addressing this critical and underserved segment of the U.S. battery supply chain. “We believe this is an important step in our strategy to develop the most adaptable and scalable lithium battery recycling platform in the industry,” said Steve Cotton, CEO. “Our ability to integrate LFP recovery into our existing plans demonstrates how we can evolve with market needs while maintaining a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and long-term impact.” The Company’s engineering and technoeconomic analysis shows that the LFP recycling process can be integrated into the planned Sierra ARC facility and/or any ARC facility with an incremental capital expense of 25 to 30% and without the need to expand the facility’s proposed physical footprint. The Sierra ARC is currently designed to process approximately 7,500 tonnes per year of NMC-type black mass. With the addition of LFP capabilities, the campus could process an additional 7,500 tonnes of LFP feedstock annually-potentially doubling its total feedstock throughput and importantly, doubling total lithium carbonate output to approximately 2,700 tonnes per year. Upon commissioning, this commercial-scale operation would increase the total current U.S. lithium production by more than 50% annually, making Aqua Metals one of the largest producers of domestic battery grade lithium carbonate.