Aqua Metals, Inc., a sustainable lithium battery recycling developer, announced an accelerated pathway to increase revenue and margin at its planned commercial-scale AquaRefining facility at the Tahoe-Reno industrial center.
To streamline the market entry, optimize capital efficiency, scale core patented and licensable technology, and meet evolving customer demands, the company intends to prioritize the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate — more than doubling the initial production targets.
Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP), a widely traded, high-value nickel and cobalt product, along with copper and manganese, will comprise the rest of its product suite at its Sierra ARC recycling campus.
This near-term focus should enable faster and larger revenue generation, additional technology validation at scale, and expanded industry partnership potential while maintaining a clear roadmap for scaling toward high-purity metal refining that will eventually complement lithium carbonate production.
Aqua Metals has proven its ability to recover battery-grade lithium, high-purity nickel, and cobalt from spent batteries and manufacturing scrap at its pilot facility. By prioritizing lithium carbonate and MHP production, the company believes it can accelerate commercialization, reduce remaining capital requirements to complete the Sierra ARC, positioning itself as a key supplier of domestic, low-carbon, battery-grade materials.
The scalable nature of AquaRefining is the basis upon which Aqua Metals believes that full metal refining remains within reach as part of future scaling. The company will continue qualifying battery-grade materials with its pilot program and through ongoing engagements with OEMs, cell, and CAM manufacturers.
The strategy
Aqua Metals’ updated strategy reflects its ability to adapt to market conditions while staying focused on long-term goals:
- Faster path to market, lower CAPEX – Prioritizing lithium carbonate along with MHP as the product suite should reduce capital and operational intensity, enable a larger-scale facility that generates more revenue at a higher margin than our previous design — achieving a three-year payback even at today’s lower metals prices.
- Strengthened industry partnerships – Aqua Metals is in active discussions with feedstock suppliers and offtake partners, aligning with this accelerated commercialization and product suite plan.
- Future-Ready, modular expansion – The Company’s scalable technology should provide an easy transition to refining battery-grade nickel and cobalt sulfates and lithium hydroxide as market conditions and partner demand evolve.
Aqua Metals is continuing its engagement with several prospective financial backers, feedstock supply, and off-take partners, and expects to be able to provide updates later in Q1.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News