Electra Battery Materials Completes Feasibility Study for Modular Battery Recycling Facility in Ontario

Electra Completes Feasibility Study for Battery Recycling Facility
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**June 05, 2025** 07:00 ET | Source: Electra Battery Materials Corporation

**TORONTO, June 05, 2025** (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) is excited to announce the completion of a Class 3 Engineering Study at the feasibility level for a modular battery recycling facility. This facility will be situated adjacent to its cobalt sulfate refinery located north of Toronto. The design aims to recover critical materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite from both manufacturing scrap and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries using Electra’s proprietary hydrometallurgical process. This innovative process was developed and validated through a year-long pilot program involving black mass sourced from an industry partner. The upcoming phase of the project, which is partially funded by Natural Resources Canada, will focus on operating the recycling process under continuous and semi-continuous conditions to mimic commercial-scale throughput.

“We are advancing a clear pathway to a closed-loop, domestically sourced battery materials supply chain,” stated Trent Mell, CEO of Electra. “Cobalt recovered at the recycling facility will directly feed into our cobalt sulfate refinery, which is already under advanced construction. Other critical minerals will be reintegrated into the battery supply chain. This integration enhances North America’s energy security and positions Electra as a pioneer in the continent’s emerging battery ecosystem.”

### Strategic Synergy with Cobalt Refinery and Aki Battery Recycling

The feasibility study details how black mass will be processed at the new facility to produce essential battery materials, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite. The cobalt stream will serve as a feedstock for Electra’s permitted cobalt sulfate refinery, which has received financial support from both the Government of Canada and the U.S. Department of Defense. Electra’s collaboration with Aki Battery Recycling, a joint venture with the Three Fires Group, ensures a reliable and secure supply of black mass feedstock. Aki, which is predominantly Indigenous-owned, is establishing a battery collection and shredding operation aimed at the responsible recycling of lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap. This upstream supply chain security bolsters Electra’s near-term demonstration efforts and long-term commercial objectives.

“Through Aki, we are establishing a robust pipeline to process battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries into valuable materials right here in Ontario,” said Mell. “Together with our partners, we are aligning innovation, sustainability, and Indigenous economic development to meet global demand for critical minerals while ensuring the battery supply chain is founded on shared prosperity and long-term stewardship.”

### Collaboration and Commercial Path Forward

Electra intends to present the findings of the engineering study to downstream partners, including battery manufacturers and OEMs, who have shown interest in participating in the project. Their feedback will help to determine the optimal scale of the facility and influence project timing, capital requirements, and potential offtake agreements. The study was conducted in collaboration with Green Li-ion, whose modular technology forms the basis of the recycling process. Various process modifications and enhancements were implemented during this collaboration, leading to proprietary improvements that enhance Electra’s competitive edge in the recycling value chain.

### Critical Minerals and National Security

Electra is committed to supporting North American energy independence amid increasing global competition, particularly due to the dominance of certain countries in critical mineral processing and battery supply chains. As the timelines for gigafactories evolve and the battery market expands rapidly, Electra’s leadership in refining cobalt and other essential materials will significantly contribute to this transformation. The integrated black mass refining program aligns with strategic priorities in both Canada and the United States.

Cobalt is crucial not only for electric vehicles and grid storage but also for military-grade batteries, communication systems, and backup power solutions where reliability in extreme conditions is essential. Advanced battery storage systems rely heavily on cobalt-containing chemistries for their energy density, thermal stability, and long cycle life. These systems play a vital role in stabilizing renewable energy inputs, supporting remote or off-grid communities, and providing critical backup for hospitals, data centers, and industrial infrastructure. By recycling critical minerals domestically, especially from batteries already present in North America, Electra is helping to close the loop on strategic minerals that are predominantly sent to Asia for processing.

### Aki Battery Recycling

Aki Battery Recycling, a joint venture between Electra and the Three Fires Group, is in the process of constructing a shredding and preprocessing facility that will convert lithium-ion battery waste into black mass. This partnership not only provides economic advantages to Indigenous communities but also ensures meaningful participation in the battery supply chain while securing a sustainable supply of raw materials for Electra’s refining operations. Together, Electra and the Three Fires Group are dedicated to creating a resilient, secure, and inclusive battery materials supply chain in North America.

### About Electra Battery Materials

Electra is at the forefront of advancing North America’s critical minerals supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. The company is currently focused on developing North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery and is executing a phased strategy to bring critical minerals refining onshore and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. Besides establishing the cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra’s strategy encompasses nickel refining and battery recycling initiatives. Growth projects include integrating black mass recycling at its existing refining complex, exploring opportunities for cobalt production in Bécancour, Quebec, and evaluating potential nickel sulfate production in North America.

For more information, please visit [www.ElectraBMC.com](http://www.electrabmc.com).

**Contact:**
Heather Smiles
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Electra Battery Materials
info@ElectraBMC.com
1.416.900.3891

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