#United States #Covington #Ascend Elements #Lithium Carbonate

Ascend Elements to Boost U.S. Lithium Carbonate Production

Ascend Elements, renowned for its solutions in battery materials, is set to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle and energy storage industries with its new lithium recovery line to be operational in 2025. This facility, situated in Covington, Georgia, will notably increase the production of sustainable lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) by an impressive 60%, reaching up to 3,000 metric tons annually. This development is crucial, as currently, there is no commercial-scale recycling of lithium carbonate being performed in the United States. Aside from this new venture, the only domestic source of lithium carbonate comes from mining operations in Nevada.

Eric Gratz, co-founder and CTO of Ascend Elements, emphasizes the importance of this project, remarking, "This is the first new domestic source of lithium carbonate in the 21st century." This move not only highlights the company's innovative approach but also responds to the growing demand for batteries in both electric vehicles and energy storage systems while mitigating potential tariffs on imported materials.

Notably, lithium carbonate plays a pivotal role in manufacturing cutting-edge batteries used in electric vehicles, aircraft, and large-scale energy storage systems. Ascend Elements' proprietary lithium recovery process is set to differentiate itself by producing minimal carbon emissions compared to traditional methods, such as mining and brine extraction.

The company's process generates only 2.27 kg of CO2 for each kilogram of lithium carbonate, which starkly contrasts with the 16.7 kg produced through spodumene mining or the 3.6 kg from Chilean brine extraction. "Our current process of lithium extraction from used lithium-ion batteries is about 86% less carbon-intensive compared to spodumene mining and 37% less compared to Chilean brine extraction," Gratz added, demonstrating the environmental benefits of their innovative technology.

The Covington facility also stands out as one of North America's largest lithium-ion battery recycling plants. It commenced operations in August 2022 and has the capability to recycle up to 30,000 metric tons of lithium-ion battery materials each year, equivalent to approximately 70,000 electric vehicle battery packs. The company, founded in 2015 and based in Massachusetts, is primarily focused on providing sustainable, closed-loop battery material solutions.

Ascend Elements goes beyond just recycling. It also manufactures lithium-ion battery materials such as NMC pCAM and NMC CAM, produced from recycled battery components. Their patented Hydro-to-Cathode® technology ensures the efficient creation of new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells, leading to improved economic viability and lowered carbon emissions.

As the world transitions toward renewable energy and electric vehicles, Ascend Elements' initiatives are crucial for increasing domestic production, reducing reliance on external suppliers, and fostering sustainable practices in battery manufacturing. With the 2025 launch of their new lithium recovery line, they are poised to play a central role in shaping the future of battery materials in the U.S., ensuring that the country can meet the growing demand without compromising environmental integrity.