American Manganese Inc (CVE:AMY) (OTC:AMYZF) highlighted the continued improvement of its battery recycling technology on Wednesday, saying its contractor Kemetco had recovered 99.98% nickel-cobalt hydroxide from the NCA cathode scrap material it received from a tier-one lithium-ion battery company.
The firm noted that the figure was an even higher purity than the previously reported purity results (99.94%) during stages three and four of the pilot plant project, as announced in August this year.
READ: American Manganese’s independent lab Kemetco yields high quality nickel-cobalt hydroxide from tests
The firm's technology recycles spent lithium-ion batteries to extract cathode metals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and aluminum at battery-grade purity, with minimal processing steps.
The company has now completed testing of the pilot plant project and aims to begin engineering design and economic analysis of a 3-5 tonne per day commercial demonstration plant for 2020 following this completion of testing for tier-one companies.
"The purity results analyzed by Kemetco Research demonstrates the potential of our RecycLiCoTM patented process and sets a new benchmark for the lithium-ion battery recycling industry," noted Larry Reaugh, the president and CEO of American Manganese.
"We continue to pioneer a high-recovery, high-purity, and environmentally friendly cathode-to-cathode lithium-ion battery recycling solution that promotes a circular economy for the lithium-ion battery supply chain."
Today's purity result relates to the tier-one lithium-ion battery company referenced as 'company B'. The company plans to announce company A purity results as they are received and reviewed.
"We designed the process with the goal to produce recycled battery products that could be seamlessly integrated into the re-manufacturing of battery cathodes using minimal processing steps," added Norm Chow, the president of independent contractor Kemetco Research.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com