Electra signs lithium deal with Rock Tech

Embarking on the initial transformative steps toward sustainability along the supply chain, Electra Battery Materials Corp. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Rock Tech Lithium Inc. for the development of a partnership to supply recycled lithium from Electra's Battery Materials Park in Ontario to then be upgraded to battery-grade lithium at Rock Tech refineries.

"Partnering with Rock Tech, a leading lithium development company with assets in Europe and North America, complements our recycling strategy by allowing us to further upgrade recycled lithium into battery grade product," said Electra Battery Materials CEO Trent Mell. "Collaboration is crucial to create a closed loop for all critical minerals we recover in our black mass refining operation."

Rock Tech Lithium, a cleantech company with operations in Canada and Germany, aims to become the first closed-loop lithium producer in the world.

Founded in 1996, Rock Tech has dedicated over two decades to refining its capabilities and technology, emerging as a leader in sustainable production and pioneering ESG standards with its proprietary refining process.

Its steadfast commitment is geared towards delivering the highest-quality lithium hydroxide to meet the high standards of its valued customers.

Planning to construct five lithium converters – one in North America and four in Europe – Rock Tech projects an annual capacity of up to 120,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide by 2029. This ambitious expansion is poised to establish the company as the market leader in Europe, covering an estimated 30% of the industry's escalating demand.

"At Rock Tech, we are thinking long-term," said Rock Tech Lithium COO Klaus Schmitz. "Developing localized circular lithium value chains is key for this. Electra is an important partner to realize this vision in Ontario and North America."

In addition to its refinement capabilities, Rock Tech participates in the exploration and development of lithium properties, holding a 100% interest in the Georgia Lake lithium project located in the Thunder Bay Mining District in Ontario, Canada.

Publishing a prefeasibility study prepared for Georgia Lake in late 2022, it outlines a project at Georgia Lake that would produce roughly 100,000 tons of spodumene concentrate (lithium) per year over an initial nine-year period.

Beyond its own endeavors to produce lithium feed for its refineries, Electra will supply a portion of the lithium recovered from its black mass refinery north of Toronto to Rock Tech for further processing. From there, Rock Tech will upgrade the lithium to battery-grade lithium chemicals at its second planned lithium converter in Ontario.

"Our collaboration unlocks an important lithium sourcing option and ensures continuous long-term supply for our plants," said Schmitz. "Our collaboration ensures that lithium recovered from the recycling of end-of-life batteries or battery manufacturing scrap is recovered, refined and returned to the battery value chain as battery-grade lithium product. An efficient, environmentally friendly and truly closed recycling loop."

Processing of material supplied by Electra is slated to start in an initial phase beginning in 2026 and is expected to increase as Electra continues to expand its battery materials park in a modular fashion.

"Jointly with Rock Tech, we are excited to offer an end-to-end battery recycling solution specifically for the lithium market," added Mell. "The partnership is expected to generate an additional revenue stream for Electra, improve our service offering for our clients, and facilitate future growth."

The companies also intend to explore additional collaboration opportunities, including possible licensing of Electra's technology for application in Europe and the co-location of future battery recycling and lithium refining plants.