Electra Battery Materials (TSXV: ELBM) is reporting success from a trial taking place for battery materials recycling at its Ontario recycling complex. The complex is currently focused on improving the process of recycling black mass, which refers to the material remaining from shredding lithium-ion batteries once casings are removed.

The plant-scale trial is said to be largely complete at this point, with a report being constructed to assemble data on optimizations and modular growth scenarios. Optimization has resulted in several improvements, including a 20% increase in lithium carbonate quality, which is now approaching technical grade, while manganese recoveries have improved to 95%, and nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate has approached containing 50% nickel and cobalt, which is above market standards.

High-value elements found within black mass include lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and graphite.

The company meanwhile is said to be working towards metal recovery from internal recycling streams, which includes items like the reuse of tailings water as process water for plant to make the recycling process entirely closed circuit within the plant. Other targeted improvements include the potential of isolating cobalt from nickel to improve the payability of the resulting product.

Collectively, the complex is said to have recycled 40 tonnes of black mass since beginning the trial, with 28 tonnes of nickel-cobalt MHP having been shipped to customers. Discussions are meanwhile said to be ongoing with lithium companies to review opportunities for collaboration on lithium carbonate.

Electra Battery Materials last traded at $0.53 on the TSX Venture.

Information for this briefing was found via Sedar and the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization unless otherwise mentioned. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.