Ecobat exits lithium battery recycling to focus on lead operations

Battery recycler Ecobat has completed the sale of its lithium-ion battery recycling operations in Casa Grande, Arizona, marking the final step in the company's exit from the lithium recycling business.

In a statement released Sept. 2, the Dallas-based company said the move allows it to focus entirely on its North American lead recycling operations. The Casa Grande transaction follows shortly after Ecobat sold its lithium operations in Darlaston, UK, and Hettstedt, Germany, to Mulberry Waste Holdings earlier this year. The buyer and financial terms of the Casa Grande sale were not disclosed.

Ecobat unveiled the Casa Grande initiative in February 2023, presenting it as the company's first lithium-ion recycling plant in North America and stating that it could process up to 10,000 metric tons of feedstock annually.

The plant would process end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap, then sort, shred and separate the material to produce "black mass" enriched with lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite.

With the lithium units now sold, Ecobat said it is focusing on three US facilities for lead and critical-mineral recovery. The company stated that these plants process millions of batteries each year and recover lead, tin and antimony for return to manufacturing supply chains.

Tom Slabe, President and CEO of Ecobat, said the sale marks the company's exit from lithium recycling. "This sale completes our exit from lithium recycling and allows us to devote our full attention and resources to our core strength: operating our North American lead recycling business," Slabe said. He added that Ecobat will continue to pursue opportunities to maximize value for shareholders.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed US black mass nickel payables at 92% Sept. 2, flat day over day and week over week on an London Metal Exchange nickel basis.

Platts US black mass lithium payables remained at zero, unchanged day over day and week over week