American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) has been recognized for its pioneering efforts in battery recycling, receiving the prestigious “Outstanding Contribution to Recycling & Reuse in Battery Materials” award at the annual Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Voltas Awards Celebration. This event honors the visionaries transforming global battery raw materials supply chains, celebrating innovations in technology and sustainability initiatives that contribute to a more resilient energy future.
ABTC was selected from 20 global industry peers, highlighting the significant impact of its advancements in battery recycling technology and its dedication to enhancing economic resilience and energy security in the United States. Ryan Melsert, CEO of ABTC, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “This award is a testament to the dedication and contributions of all of our stakeholders. I extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, long-term shareholders, and the employees of ABTC, whose innovation and hard work make achievements like this possible.”
In less than two years, ABTC has made remarkable progress in bolstering supply chain durability and energy security. The company has developed innovative recycling technologies, launched commercial operations, and successfully sold recycled battery materials from its first lithium-ion battery recycling facility. This facility employs an internally-developed “de-manufacturing” process combined with targeted hydrometallurgy to efficiently extract high-purity battery-grade critical minerals. This closed-loop system minimizes waste, reduces water consumption, and significantly curtails air pollution and emissions, thus setting a new standard for sustainable recycling practices.
The recycling operation consists of two main phases. The initial demanufacturing phase processes battery components into valuable products such as copper, aluminum, steel, lithium intermediates, and a black mass intermediate material. The second hydrometallurgical phase refines these intermediates further, converting the lithium intermediate into battery-grade lithium hydroxide and the black mass intermediate into battery-grade nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium hydroxide products. This integrated process eliminates the inefficiencies associated with transporting inconsistent intermediate materials like black mass to offsite locations.
ABTC’s recycling technologies enhance recovery rates, including lithium extraction during the mechanical phase, while strategically removing impurities early in the demanufacturing process to reduce operating costs. By maintaining both mechanical and hydrometallurgical recycling processes within a single facility, the company ensures that reactive materials remain securely contained throughout operations.
Looking ahead, ABTC is advancing its recycling capabilities and has begun designing its second state-of-the-art recycling facility, which is expected to process an impressive 100,000 tonnes annually, thereby increasing the company’s recycling capacity fivefold. This expansion is supported by a $144 million investment from the U.S. Department of Energy, marking a significant step forward in sustainable recycling solutions.
The success of ABTC is attributed to its team of experienced professionals, many of whom have backgrounds from Tesla’s first Gigafactory. The company also collaborates with local universities to foster workforce development, providing internships and hands-on experiences to prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists. These initiatives have not only created specialized jobs in northern Nevada but also strengthened expertise in critical mineral manufacturing and recycling.
Furthermore, ABTC partners with leading organizations like the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) and BASF to recycle metals into cathode materials that are reintegrated into new battery cells. This holistic approach effectively closes the loop on battery production, positioning ABTC as one of the few U.S.-based companies capable of managing the entire process of material production, refinement, and recycling domestically.
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