American Manganese Files for Battery Material Recovery Patent

Patent application submitted for recovering cathode materials from spent lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries. With proof of concept work complete, company prepares to commence graduated technology development program.
American Manganese Inc. (TSXV:AMY) has filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its innovative process for recovering of cathode materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese) from spent lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The energy-efficient, environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical process produces high-purity metal products that have been demonstrated to be suitable for direct recycling back into new lithium-ion batteries.
Larry Reaugh, president and chief executive officer, stated:
“This revolutionary process provides a cleaner, environmentally sustainable recycling alternative to the current disposal options of either landfilling or smelting the spent lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries. Furthermore, as the adoption of electric vehicles accelerates, the problems of supplying new cathode materials for new EV lithium-ion batteries and disposing of spent lithium-ion EV batteries will escalate accordingly. AMI’s recycling process could provide a secure, verifiable source of the cathode materials feedstocks, thereby reducing the need for new mines in potentially economically or socially risky jurisdictions.”
The proof-of-concept testing program executed by Kemetco Research Inc. demonstrated that leach extractions of 100 per cent are possible, for both lithium and cobalt from cathode powders used for lithium-ion batteries. High-purity cathode compounds were then precipitated and the recovered constituents were combined and heat treated to regenerate useable cathode materials which were used to build a working lithium-ion coin cell battery. The provisional patent application sets a priority date of the invention which encompasses a complete closed-loop process for recovery of the target compounds in an energy- and water-efficient manner.
“The company is now embarking on the additional research work that is required to fully develop the potential of its recycling process,” Mr. Reaugh continued. “Kemetco has prepared a graduated technology development program with the goal of developing a complete flowsheet to maximize the recovery of valuable cathode components, while minimizing reagent consumption and addressing water balance in an environmentally friendly and economic manner.”
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