SK ecoplant partners with TES and Ascend Elements to build pre-processing plant in Kentucky

SK ecoplant is partnering with its subsidiary TES, the global e-waste and battery recycling specialist and US-based battery recycling company Ascend Elements in a joint venture that will operate a pre-processing plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The plant will have a infeed capacity of 24,000 tonnes per annum.

The companies are investing $65M in the 100,000 square-foot facility wich will be used for both end-of-life batteries and production scrap. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2023 with completion in January 2025.

SK ecoplant will be the majority owner (64%) with Ascend Elements owning 25% and TES owning 11% of the new joint venture. Since 2022, SK ecoplant owns today 100% of TES and has invested more than $60 million in Ascend Elements.

The new facility will create approximately 60 jobs and produce approximately 12,000 metric tons of black mass per year. The black mass will then help supply Ascend Elements' nearby precursor and cathode mateiral plant, which is currently under construction in the same area.