Li-Metal Corp. (CSE: LIM | OTCQB: LIMFF | FSE: 5ZO) has announced the successful production and shipment of its first batch of lithium metal ingots. The lithium metal ingots were produced at Li-Metal’s recently commissioned facility in Ontario, Canada which has the capacity to process up to 15 metric tonnes of anode scrap material per year.
“We are thrilled to produce our first batch of lithium metal ingots using our reprocessing and casting technology and commission our new facility in Markham,” commented Srini Godavarthy, CEO of Li-Metal.
“The ability to produce lithium metal products is a key differentiator for Li-Metal’s positioning in the next generation battery ecosystem, further enabling the growth and development of our business.”
Lithium metal anodes are produced either through a conventional extrusion/rolling or through more economically viable physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes, the commercialization of which Li-Metal is championing in conjunction with its exclusive manufacturing partner, Mustang Vacuum Systems.
Traditional extrusion processes require the lithium metal to be supplied in ingot form. On average, production scrap generated by gigafactories can have up to a 30% metal scrap rate. Lithium metal ingot manufacturing scraps are currently designated as hazardous waste and, typically, incinerated whereby valuable, critical battery materials are lost forever.
To enhance the sustainability of lithium metal anodes and to overcome the need to incinerate scrap lithium metal, Li-Metal developed a novel reprocessing and casting technology. The company’s technology reprocesses the scrap lithium into ingots that may be used for anode production. The lithium metal ingot was produced using lithium material from production scrap from lithium foil producers.
As Li-Metal continues to progress with its lithium metal reprocessing programme and demonstrating the continuous production of lithium metal ingots, the company is currently evaluating scrap samples from multiple partners to scale capacity. Li-Metal expects to eventually leverage the pilot facility and know-how generated during the scale up of the reprocessing facility to help its potential partners produce high purity specialty lithium-alloy ingots for advanced battery producers.
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