SAN
DIEGO and HOUSTON,
July 22,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildcat Discovery Technologies,
a leading US cathode producer, and Austin Elements Inc., a leading
US critical minerals recycler and sustainable LFP precursors
producer, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on closing the loop for Lithium
(Manganese) Iron Phosphate (L(M)FP) batteries.
Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to
convert end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scraps into L(M)FP
cathode materials. Austin Elements will produce battery-grade
lithium carbonate and iron phosphate from L(M)FP black mass. Austin
Elements is robust to process "DIRTY" black mass of high content of
aluminum and copper. These materials have been successfully
validated by Wildcat Discovery Technologies and will be supplied to
Wildcat for use in their proprietary cathode materials.
This partnership strengthens the US supply chain for critical
minerals and supports the objectives of the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law: Battery Materials Processing and Battery
Manufacturing Recycling Selections. These materials are
manufactured domestically by US companies and IRA-qualified,
ensuring they meet the standards set by the Inflation Reduction
Act.
Wildcat has been developing battery materials since 2006, and it
plans to build a plant in the United
States to manufacture LFP in late 2026, LMFP in 2027, and
disordered rock salt (DRX) in 2028. The plant, opening in 2026 with
a 15,000-ton capacity, is set to double to 30,000 tons in 2028.
This partnership with Austin Elements will ensure a reliable supply
of high-quality precursors necessary for Wildcat's cathode
materials production.
Austin Elements Inc. specializes in producing high-specification
critical minerals and LFP/LMFP battery precursors using recycled
feedstocks. Their innovative, low-carbon processes recover valuable
minerals from various sources, including LFP and NCM lithium-ion
batteries and manufacturing scrap. As a tier-one and tier-two
recycler for top EV OEMs and cell manufacturers worldwide, Austin
Elements has secured feedstocks from the US, Europe, North, and South America. Notably, Austin Elements is the
only LFP recycler in North America
and Europe, capable of producing
qualified battery-grade lithium carbonate and LFP precursor from
"Dirty" black mass with high impurity content. Austin Elements
plans to build 10,000 MTs LFP black mass refinery facility in
Houston, Texas in early 2026, and
expand to 85,000 MTs by 2028. It will be the largest LFP black mass
refinery plant in the US and Europe.
"We are thrilled to partner with Austin Elements to advance LFP
recycling for high-performance cathode materials," said Wildcat
President and CEO Mark Gresser.
"Customers in North America seek
accessible, long-term alternatives to China-based CAM production, and our
partnership helps achieve that objective in a sustainable and
efficient way."
"We are excited to join forces with Wildcat Discovery
Technologies," said Dr. Jacob Jin,
CEO of Austin Elements Inc. "Our novel patented L(M)FP recycling
processes enable the economics of LFP recycling, and the
battery-grade lithium-carbonate sustainable L(M) FP precursors are
a perfect match for Wildcat's advanced battery research and
manufacturing capabilities. Together, we will make significant
strides in the circular economy for LFP series battery
materials."
Austin Elements is committed to supplying qualified materials to
Wildcat according to the mutually agreed timelines, and Wildcat
Discovery Technologies agrees to purchase significant quantities of
these materials. This partnership marks a crucial step in ensuring
a sustainable and efficient supply chain for battery production,
reinforcing the companies' positions as leaders in the battery
materials industry.
For more information, please visit Wildcat Discovery
Technologies and Austin Elements Inc..
About Wildcat Discovery Technologies
Wildcat's mission is to produce high-performance U.S.-made
cathodes to enable widespread adoption of clean energy. Founded in
2006, the company plans to manufacture a portfolio of nickel- and
cobalt-free CAM at a plant it builds in the United States. At the same time, Wildcat will
continue to leverage its 15 years of materials development to help
customers achieve the best integrated battery cell. For more
information, visit Wildcat Discovery Technologies.
About Austin Elements Inc.
Austin Elements Inc. specializes in producing high-specification
critical minerals and battery precursors using recycled feedstocks
(LFP, NCM, and ceramic glass). The company is committed to
sustainable practices and has developed low-carbon processes for
recovering minerals from various sources. For more information,
visit Austin Elements Inc..
Media Contact:
press@wildcatdiscovery.com
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SOURCE Wildcat Discovery Technologies