Li-Cycle’s Battery Recycling Plant In Arizona Now Open

Li-Cycle’s lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Arizona is now open. This is the company’s third operational Spoke facility in North America and it has a capacity to process up to 10,000 tonnes of manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries annually. The battery recycling plant can process the equivalent of batteries required for around 20,000 EVs per annum.

In a press release, the company said that Arizona presented a “significant opportunity for lithium-ion battery recycling due to the emerging electric vehicle (EV) supply chain in the region, as well as its close proximity to large markets such as California, which are expected to produce an increasing supply of end-of-life batteries available for recycling from EVs, energy storage projects and consumer electronics.”

Li-Cycle added that the new battery recycling plant, located conveniently near its existing battery and manufacturing scrap supply network, will be the first of its kind. It will process full EV battery packs without dismantling them manually, which makes it easier to recycle the battery packs safely.

Earlier in May, Li-Cycle held a grand opening ceremony at the 140,000 square-foot facility where customers, local government officials, and supporters connected with the Gilbert community and surrounding area to celebrate.

Li-Cycle said that the primary output product of the Arizona Spoke will be black mass containing several highly-valuable critical metals, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Li-Cycle will convert these metals into battery-grade materials at its first North American Hub facility, which is currently under construction in Rochester, NY. Once operational, the company expects that the Hub will process 35,000 tonnes of black mass annually.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey embraced Li-Cycle’s facility and spoke of how proud he was to see it up and operational.

“The launch of Li-Cycle’s innovative battery recycling facility bolsters Arizona’s already robust EV supply chain and sends a signal that Arizona is the place to be for electric batteries.

“Sustainable industries have found a home in Arizona, and few companies represent the innovation and possibilities that brings like Li-Cycle. We are proud to see Li-Cycle’s facility up and operational.”

Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, added that Li-Cycle will also create quality jobs in the community.

“We are excited Li-Cycle’s innovative battery recycling facility has commenced operations.

“Li-Cycle’s Arizona Spoke will increase EV battery recycling capabilities, strengthening Arizona’s battery and electric vehicle supply chains while creating quality jobs in the community.”

Richard Storrie, Regional President of Americas at Li-Cycle, also gave a statement mentioning that the new battery recycling plant would help it recycle EV batteries while serving its customers needs.

“We are pleased to announce that our Arizona Spoke is operational. This new state-of-the-art facility enhances our ability to serve the recycling needs of our customers, while significantly increasing our operational recycling capacity. We’re also creating an additional domestic source of critical metals to be transformed and supply lithium-ion battery production.”