Dragonfly Energy Holdings, makers of Battle Born Batteries and energy storage solutions, in collaboration with Aqua Metals, pioneers in sustainable lithium battery recycling, said it has successfully created a breakthrough advancement in sustainable lithium-ion battery production.
The companies used high-purity lithium hydroxide, recovered by Aqua Metals from recycled lithium-ion batteries, to manufacture a lithium-based battery cell using Dragonfly Energy’s patented dry battery electrode coating technology.
The successful recovery of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and cycle testing of a sustainably manufactured lithium battery cell is a significant advancement for sustainable lithium-ion battery production for the companies.
The process demonstrates a potential path towards a more circular and sustainable lithium battery manufacturing industry that addresses the finite and costly nature of battery materials, the companies said.
“This is an exciting step forward for the emerging lithium battery industry, as we have qualified the high-purity lithium hydroxide Aqua Metals recovers from recycled lithium batteries to manufacture new battery cells,” said Vick Singh, director of research and development for Dragonfly Energy. “This is yet another way Dragonfly continues to develop energy storage solutions with widespread applications using sustainable measures.”
Aqua Metals, also based in Reno, Nevada, recovers high-purity lithium hydroxide from lithium-ion battery “black mass,” which is the industry term for the metallic mixture of crushed and shredded end-of-life battery cells that contain valuable minerals, including lithium. The companies said that this new breakthrough confirms that sustainably recycled materials can meet the high standards for advanced battery cell production and can be an essential part of building a circular supply chain for the domestic battery industry.
“This is an exciting milestone for us in establishing the efficacy of our sustainable recycling process and affirming that our high-purity recovered material is battery grade and of equal quality to virgin mined material – with a much lower carbon and waste footprint,” said Steve Cotton, president and CEO of Aqua Metals. “Dragonfly Energy is at the forefront of manufacturing high-performance lithium batteries, and we believe our continued collaboration is demonstrating why building a circular supply chain for critical minerals in Nevada is integral to our clean energy future.”
Added Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy: “The use of recycled lithium addresses two major initiatives for Dragonfly Energy: it helps close the loop by filling in that all-important recycling component, and it provides a ready and sustainable supply of lithium for use in upcoming cell production. Dragonfly Energy is committed to securing a robust supply chain that is compliant with the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act – relating to both mineral processing and battery recycling goals – to support our growth and our future expansion efforts while practicing material circularity and sustainability.”
