Aqua Metals Secures Key U.S. Patent for Innovative Lithium Battery Recycling Technology

Aqua Metals Announces Allowance of Foundational U.S. Patent for Lithium Battery Recycling Technology

**Patent Strengthens AquaRefining™ IP Portfolio and Supports Licensing and Joint Venture Strategy for Global Expansion**

June 02, 2025 08:00 ET | Source: Aqua Metals

Aqua Metals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS), a leader in sustainable lithium battery recycling, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application No. 17/584,975. This newly allowed patent encompasses essential elements of Aqua Metals’ proprietary lithium battery recycling technology, further enhancing the Company’s AquaRefining™ intellectual property portfolio.

Originally filed in January 2022, this application reflects years of research and development that evolved from laboratory and bench-scale validation to successful pilot operations. Aqua Metals has proven its capability to efficiently recover battery-grade lithium carbonate, as well as high-purity nickel and cobalt materials, through its innovative electrified and regenerative hydrometallurgical process. This patent safeguards the core innovations within Aqua Metals’ AquaRefining™ technology, which serves as an environmentally superior alternative to conventional recycling methods. The process is estimated to yield cost savings of around $1,100 per metric ton of black mass input compared to traditional hydrometallurgical approaches. Additionally, it eliminates sodium sulfate waste, generates negligible CO₂ emissions, and ensures a safer workplace environment.

“This allowance marks a significant milestone in our strategy to scale AquaRefining™ through both owned recycling campuses and global partnerships,” said Steve Cotton, President and CEO of Aqua Metals. “It fortifies our intellectual property foundation and positions us to pursue licensing and joint venture opportunities with partners who share our vision of establishing a clean, secure, and domestic battery materials supply chain. We are eager to share more about these partnerships soon.”

Aqua Metals is also working on additional patents, including a novel and cost-efficient method for producing lithium battery precursor materials. The Company is engaged in discussions with several potential licensees and joint venture partners worldwide; this extensive new patent allowance is expected to play a crucial role in enabling and structuring those relationships. This patent allowance signifies ongoing progress in Aqua Metals’ mission to build a robust intellectual property portfolio and lead the development of a domestic lithium battery supply chain.

### About Aqua Metals

Aqua Metals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS) is revolutionizing metals recycling with its patented AquaRefining™ technology. The Company is dedicated to commercializing sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling that is non-polluting and closes the loop on critical minerals for clean energy technologies. Aqua Metals is headquartered in Reno, Nevada, with facilities located in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. For more information, visit [www.aquametals.com](http://www.aquametals.com).

### Aqua Metals Social Media

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### Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Aqua Metals, Inc. These statements include, but are not limited to, our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions, as well as other statements that contain words such as “expects,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” and variations of such words or similar expressions that convey uncertainty about future events or outcomes, or that do not pertain to historical matters. The forward-looking statements in this release include our expectations regarding the newly issued patent covering our lithium battery recycling technology, including its anticipated positive impact on our licensing and joint venture opportunities. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the risk that (1) we have not yet begun commercial production of recycled black mass using our lithium battery recycling technology; (2) there is no guarantee that we will realize the expected benefits of our lithium battery recycling process once we commence commercial operations; (3) the risk that we may not secure the necessary funding to initiate commercial recycling; (4) even if we acquire the needed funding, the risk that we may not be able to start commercial recycling or achieve the anticipated benefits from it; (5) the risk that we may not obtain the funding required to maintain our current operations; and (6) the risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2025. Aqua Metals advises readers to avoid placing undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unforeseen events, except as required by law.

### Contact Information

**Investor Relations**
Bob Meyers & Rob Fink
FNK IR
646-878-9204
aqms@fnkir.com

**Media**
David Regan
Aqua Metals
415-336-3553
david.regan@aquametals.com