Cirba Solutions, a comprehensive cross-chemistry battery management and materials processor, is expanding its lithium-ion processing facility in Lancaster, Ohio with an investment of more than $200 million. This will be one of the largest battery recycling facilities operating in North America. Cirba Solutions estimates it will produce enough battery-grade raw materials from recycled batteries to power more than 200,000 new EVs annually from this facility alone.
This expansion supports the company’s four year roadmap to increase its recycled battery cathode production by 600 percent. It will also create an estimated 150 jobs to the greater Columbus area, while broadening community outreach and battery education to the public.
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“As a trusted partner in processing end-of-life batteries, this project supports the growing need for providing critical EV materials for a sustainable and sustained domestic battery supply chain,” said David Klanecky, president and chief executive officer of Cirba Solutions. “This strategic location will supply battery grade metal salts to our customers’ manufacturing facilities, create jobs to grow the local economy, and contribute to global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
Cirba Solutions supports a critical stage in the battery supply chain by collecting, transporting, and processing manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries. Currently, it is one of the largest producers of black mass from recycled lithium-ion batteries. It is also the most experienced lithium-ion recycler in North America, with more than 50 million pounds of EV batteries recycled. The company’s industry-leading operations will shape the Lancaster facility’s evolution to source critical raw materials domestically and create a circular economy for EVs.
“Expanding the capacity for lithium-ion battery recycling within the U.S. is imperative as the country seeks to increase domestically sourced battery materials,” Klanecky said. “This will be one of many of our operational investments to strengthen supply, enhance national security, and promote sustainability principles. It will also bolster more manufacturers’ ability to reach their electrification goals, including those set out in the Inflation Reduction Act.”
Previously, Cirba Solutions announced plans to construct a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Eloy, Arizona. The 75,000 square foot location is expected to process enough battery material to power 50,000 EVs annually. The company aims to open seven processing facilities in North America by 2026.