April 10, 2025: Ecobat has announced that three lithium ion recycling plants commissioned over the past year have become operational — with a combined processing capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes.

The lead and lithium recycler said on April 2 it is already working on plans to ramp up recycling capacity across the plants in the UK, Germany and the US to a combined total of around 25,000 tonnes.

All three facilities focus on the production of black mass, the critical material derived from recycled lithium ion batteries, supporting the development of sustainable battery supply chains, according to Ecobat.

Germany’s Hettstedt plant, commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2023, works with major automotive OEMs and collection programs across Europe.

The Casa Grande, Arizona plant, commissioned last April, works directly with automotive OEMs, battery manufacturers and e-waste recyclers.

The third plant, commissioned in Darlaston last November, is a hub for the UK and wider European market.

“Ecobat’s rapid expansion in lithium-ion battery recycling demonstrates our commitment to meeting the growing demand for sustainable, closed-loop production processes,” said Brett Horton, MD of Ecobat Solutions.

“With EV sales rising and more end-of-life batteries entering the market, our new facilities are well-positioned to meet these challenges.”

Ecobat released its second annual sustainability report at the end of last June.

The firm pointed to various areas of business that had improved, including a new process for increasing capacity in its smelters and the reduction of blood lead levels for its staff.

Ecobat said its plant in Bazoches-les-Gallerandes, France, had discovered that by isolating gypsum waste from lead paste during the process of electrolyte neutralization with lime, it could increase the capacity of smelters by 5%.