Neometals (NMT) has opened its 10 tonnes per day (tpd) commercial lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Germany (in the city of Hilchenbach), through the Primobius joint venture. Plant operations are planned to start in the second quarter, pending the receipt of a federal emission operating permit.
It will go through a ramp up period prior to reaching its maximum capacity of 10tpd. Feedstocks for initial operations will be sourced through a contract from a German battery waste company, with the remaining feedstock capacity expected from the German electric vehicle industry.
The company said the opening of the plant will mark the transition from a research and development program into operations and revenue.
The disposal service will provide near-term revenue as well as prove the success of the Shedding Circuit.