Blue Whale Materials to build Li-ion battery recycling facility in Oklahoma

Blue Whale Materials, a sustainable lithium-ion (Li-on) battery recycler, recently announced the location of its inaugural Li-ion battery processing facility: Bartlesville, Oklahoma. This strategic milestone underscores the company’s commitment to advance the domestic Li-ion battery supply chain and create U.S. sources of critical minerals for the green energy transition.

The facility will use Blue Whale Materials’ proprietary Blacksand technology that processes spent Li-ion batteries and production scrap into a highly concentrated dry product containing cobalt, nickel and lithium, as well as copper and aluminum products. Blue Whale Materials’ process removes organics and impurities, ensuring a high-purity material that simplifies downstream refining steps.

Unlike traditional wet processes, which can complicate further refining, the dry Blacksand technology streamlines the recycling process and enhances the quality of the recovered materials.

Blue Whale’s commercial facility will be situated within a 35-acre campus including 150,000 square feet of warehouse space at the Bartlesville Industrial Park and encompasses multiple lots designed to facilitate comprehensive battery processing, testing, dismantling, and storage. The project is expected to create over 90 new jobs in Bartlesville, contributing to local employment and economic prosperity.

“We are pleased to be able to contribute to the economic vitality of the region as we continue to reshape the battery industry,” said Robert Kang, CEO and co-founder of Blue Whale Materials.

The strategic choice of Bartlesville was driven by various factors, including the state’s pro-business environment and commitment to clean energy, and the robust infrastructure present in the Bartlesville region. Blue Whale Materials’ decision reflects its eagerness to become part of Oklahoma’s thriving community and help contribute to the state’s sustainable growth.

“I am thrilled to welcome Blue Whale Materials to Oklahoma, and I applaud their choice of Bartlesville for their innovative battery recycling facility,” shared Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. “Blue Whale’s investment here aligns with our state’s ‘more of everything’ approach to our nation’s energy needs. I met with their management team during the recruitment process and they believe Oklahoma is the best state to locate their company. We are ready to partner with them to provide the workforce and talent they need to thrive here.”