Electra and Three Fires Group Launch Eco-Friendly Battery Venture

Electra Partners with Three Fires Group for Sustainable Battery Recycling

Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) is excited to announce its new joint venture, Aki Battery Recycling, in collaboration with the Indigenous-owned Three Fires Group. This venture focuses on creating battery black mass through the responsible recycling of lithium-ion battery waste. The black mass produced will be sent to Electra's refinery, where valuable minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt will be extracted for the production of new lithium-ion batteries.

About Three Fires Group

The Three Fires Group is an Indigenous-led economic development initiative aimed at fostering economic prosperity for current and future generations. They will spearhead capital resources for the joint venture, selecting the site for the future facility. Meanwhile, Electra will bring its technical and commercial expertise to the collaboration. This partnership is vital for the future of battery recycling as it targets the efficient sourcing and processing of battery waste directly from manufacturers to create black mass in a sophisticated facility planned for southern Ontario.

Environmental Commitment and Innovations

Electra's CEO, Trent Mell, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. He stated that building a greener future through this initiative addresses the environmental challenges posed by battery waste in Ontario and beyond. The project aligns with Electra’s mission to develop a sustainable battery supply chain in North America, providing a scalable solution to meet the burgeoning demands of the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Reggie George, Executive Director at the Three Fires Group, expressed enthusiasm for the joint effort, noting how Aki Battery Recycling offers a holistic solution to the battery waste problem by establishing a primary recycling facility. This facility will not only process batteries but will help ensure that valuable materials are not wasted, reinforcing the commitment to environmental stewardship and enhancing the circular economy in the battery sector.

Meeting Growing Demand for EVs

The rising demand for electric vehicles and storage solutions increases the need for innovative methods to recycle battery components. Localizing the production of black mass allows First Nations communities to play a meaningful role in this energy transition. The goal is to create a sustainable supply chain model that benefits the communities and effectively manages battery waste.

Market Potential

With various EV manufacturing initiatives underway in southwestern Ontario, the potential for lithium-ion battery recycling is immense. It is estimated that the amount of lithium-ion batteries available for recycling will increase significantly, growing from 23.3 GWh in 2023 to 376.1 GWh by 2035. This growth presents an opportunity for the recycling market to exceed the previous lithium-ion battery market size.

In its 2023 operations, Electra successfully processed 40 tonnes of black mass at its refining complex, pioneering North America's first large-scale hydrometallurgical recycling of such materials. This initiative highlighted Electra’s capabilities in extracting key resources such as mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) and lithium carbonate.

Funding and Future Goals

Electra received C$5 million from Natural Resources Canada for further enhancing its recycling capabilities by scaling up the hydrometallurgical black mass processing system. The Aki Battery Recycling initiative will create consistent brown mass supply, leading to sustainable job opportunities for local communities involved in battery manufacturing.

Electra’s Strategic Vision

Electra’s immediate focus is to recommission and expand its cobalt refinery in Ontario. Long-term aspirations include the continuous integration of battery recycling and nickel production, thereby further embedding essential refining processes crucial to the North American EV supply chain.

Company Compliance Update

Recently, Electra received notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market regarding noncompliance with the minimum bid price requirement ($1.00 per share). The company plans to appeal to maintain its Nasdaq listing while continuing operations on the TSX Venture Exchange.

Electra's Vice President of Investor Relations, Heather Smiles, expressed the importance of the Nasdaq listing. The aim is to explore various avenues to retain compliance, ensuring that Electra remains a vital player in the battery materials market.

About Aki Battery Recycling

Aki Battery Recycling is dedicated to creating effective recycling solutions for battery waste. By establishing a pre-treatment facility in southern Ontario, Aki aims to recover valuable materials from end-of-life batteries, thereby promoting a sustainable ecosystem within the EV supply chain.

About Electra Battery Materials

Electra Battery Materials is committed to producing low-carbon, ethically sourced battery components. The company is developing North America’s first cobalt sulfate refinery and incorporates black mass recycling to support the EV battery supply chain efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Aki Battery Recycling initiative?

The Aki Battery Recycling initiative is a joint venture between Electra Battery Materials and Three Fires Group aimed at recycling lithium-ion batteries to produce black mass for critical mineral recovery.

2. How will the Aki facility impact the environment?

The facility aims to reduce battery waste and environmental pollution by recycling batteries and repurposing the materials into the supply chain, promoting sustainability.

3. Why is recycling lithium-ion batteries important?

Recycling lithium-ion batteries is crucial to recover valuable minerals, decrease reliance on foreign materials, and minimize the carbon footprint in the EV supply chain.

4. Where will the Aki facility be located?

The Aki Battery Recycling facility will be established in southern Ontario, benefiting from the area's partnerships and resources.

5. How does Electra plan to maintain its stock market listing?

Electra is appealing a noncompliance notification from Nasdaq and exploring options to regain compliance with listing requirements.

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