Neometals Ltd (ASX: NMT) has confirmed that Primobius GmbH, the joint venture company owned 50:50 by Neometals and SMS group GmbH, has executed binding option and licencing agreements with Stelco Inc. and a wholly- owned subsidiary of Stelco.
Stelco is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stelco Holdings Inc., a Toronto Stock Exchange listed steelmaking company headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario.
Stelco and Primobius entered into a MoU earlier in the year to evaluate future joint lithium-ion battery (“LIB”) recycling operations. The parties worked together towards a significant North American LIB recycling business plan and have now entered into binding formal arrangements that allow Stelco to accelerate its sourcing of feedstock ahead of Primobius considering equity ownership of the Stelco battery recycling special purpose vehicle (Stelco SPV) responsible for battery recycling operations.
Specifically, Primobius has exclusively licenced its battery recycling technology to Stelco SPV in the field of end-of-life vehicle battery processing, to enable it to advance commercial LIB feedstock sourcing agreements and advance its approvals processes.
Under a separate option agreement, Primobius can elect to acquire between 25% and 50% equity in Stelco SPV by contributing its pro-rata share of Stelco SPV’s sunk evaluation and development costs prior to exercising. If the Option is not exercised by Primobius, under the Licence, Stelco will have the exclusive rights to utilise the Recycling Technology in North America to recycle LIBs removed from end-of-life electric vehicles, and Primobius will be entitled to a gross revenue royalty.
The commercial Formal Agreements contemplate Stelco SPV evaluating a 50tpd (18,250 tpa) integrated Shredding and Hydrometallurgical Refinery located at its Lake Erie Works in Ontario, Canada. Primobius is capable of supplying Stelco SPV a network of 50tpd Shredding plants across the licenced territory (Canada, USA, Mexico) to feed a larger scale, centralised hydrometallurgical refining Hub as and when required.
The Formal Agreements with Stelco represent a significant milestone for Primobius and its strategy to become the leading LIB recycler through the establishment of a second operating base, in North America. The Stelco SPV will help meet the need for multiple large recycling facilities to manage significant anticipated volumes from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries originating from the World’s fastest growing cell making jurisdiction.
Stelco is now in a position to mature its feedstock targeting activities with direct access to a sustainable industrial scale recycling solution backed by globally recognized engineers and plant builders, SMS.
Stelco is a leading supplier of steel to the Automotive OEMs and consumes scrap as part of its steel manufacturing process and presents the perfect opportunity for Primobius to enter the North American market as partners,” Neometals’ Managing Director, Chris Reed, said.
“Our 10tpd commercial disposal plant in Germany addresses the needs of the LIB supply chain in Europe and builds our operating expertise as principal, further de-risking and enhancing the value of partnering with Primobius.
“Our impressive pipeline of development opportunities is reshaping our short-term strategy and we are prioritising market penetration over our ambitions to operate as principal. Primobius’ flexible business models remain as key unique selling points.”
For further information please visit: https://www.neometals.com.au/