Australian battery materials recycler, Neometals Ltd (ASX: NMT) has achieved positive results from trials on a new lithium recovery option for its Hub plant packages to be delivered under supply and technology licensing agreements to third-party customers.
Lithium recoveries exceeding 93% were achieved precipitating lithium fluoride (LiF) together with purity of 95%. This process improvement option can replace Primobius’ current lithium solvent-extraction circuit which produces lithium sulphate (LiSO4) and is expected to reduce both operating and capital costs.
LiF is used to produce lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), an inorganic compound which is a key ingredient, or input, in state-of-the-art electrolytes used in lithium-ion battery (LiB) manufacturing. LiF trades historically at a 60% premium over lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), and as such, is expected to increase revenues for owners of Primobius’ LiB recycling Hub’s with this lithium recovery option.
Primobius has received strong interest in its LiF product from the lithium electrolyte supply chain and will be providing samples under material testwork agreements with leading Chinese precursor and electrolyte manufacturers. Further improvements to product purity are expected to be achieved over the coming months.
Whilst pursuing this new process as part of ongoing continuous improvement and cost reduction work, Primobius is also capable of, based on customer requirements and specifications, producing lithium sulphate LiSO4 suitable for further processing into Li2CO3 or lithium hydroxide (“LiOH”).
Firstly, I would like to congratulate the Primobius, SMS and Neometals technical teams on another outstanding innovation,” Managing Director, Chris Reed, said.
“Our original plant design now includes EV module discharging and dismantling, and has the flexibility to produce intermediate, cathode or electrolyte lithium products. In addition to meeting regulatory and customer requirements, greater efficiency translates into stronger economics for the owners of our recycling plants.”
These latest results show Primobius’ end product basket of battery materials (nickel, cobalt, copper and lithium) all exceed the European mandated recovery rates from recycling black mass feedstock. Neometals recently reported recovery levels of over 95% for nickel, cobalt and copper at the Primobius Hilchenbach, Germany demonstration Hub.