The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded over $3 billion in grants to 25 projects across 14 states. The goal is to boost domestic production of batteries and battery materials. Several lithium-ion battery recycling projects are part of this new funding round.
American Battery Technology Co. received $150 million. Clarios Circular Solutions received $150 million.
Cirba Solutions was awarded $200 million. The funding is the second round from the DOE’s Battery Materials Processing, Battery Manufacturing, and Recycling Programs. The agency plans to invest a total of $16 billion from these programs.
The latest round of DOE grants is part of an effort to strengthen the U.S. supply chain for critical battery materials. The Biden administration says this research and investment are essential to reducing reliance on other countries. American Battery Technology Co.
Battery manufacturing boosts U.S. supply chain
plans to use its $150 million grant to build a new lithium-ion battery recycling facility in South Carolina. This facility is expected to process about 100,000 metric tons of battery materials annually.
“We are greatly appreciative of the confidence and support we have received from our partners throughout this process,” said CEO Ryan Melsert in a statement. Other battery manufacturers and recyclers will also use the DOE funding to advance recycling plans, upgrade plants, or start new partnerships. In South Carolina, Clarios Circular Solutions plans to spend its $150 million grant to retrofit its existing facility.
The goal is to recycle lithium-ion battery production scrap into components for new batteries. Cirba Solutions will use its $200 million grant to build a facility in South Carolina. It will process over 60,000 tons of batteries annually.
Li Industries plans to use $55.2 million to convert a former manufacturing plant into a recycling plant in partnership with General Motors. Ascend Elements received $125 million to advance its recycled graphite production facility in Kentucky. The company says it is the first facility of its kind.
Blue Whale Materials received $55.2 million to create a recycling facility in Oklahoma. It is designed to process EVs, consumer lithium-ion batteries, and battery scrap for further downstream recovery of cobalt, nickel, and lithium at metal refineries.
