Li-Cycle to set up 20,000 tpa pre-processing operation for in Arizona

The Canadian lithium-ion battery recycler Li-Cycler with facilities in Ontario and New York has announced that they will set up pre-processing plant in the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona, with a capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year.

The facility will be host to two separate 10,000 tpa processing lines. A novelty is that the lines will be engineered to be able to process complete battery packs from electric vehicles without any prior dismantling. Dismantling is, especially when done manually, both very time consuming and costly. To directly shred the packs can therefore save significant costs to the benefit of both Li-Cycle and their customers.

The black mass which will be produced at the facility will be transported to Li-Cycle's hydro metallurgical facility which is to be built in Rochester, New York.

From an industry perspective the establishment is important as most recyclers in the US previously have been located in the Northeast and Mid-West. Li-Cycle will however be in good company with at least 5 recyclers in under way in Nevada and additional companies to start up in Arizona.

More details in Li-Cycle's press release here.