Neometals - Outstanding Lithium Recovery Results for Primobius

About Neometals

Neometals is an Australian company focused on developing and commercializing sustainable technologies for producing critical battery materials. Through strong partnerships, the company aims to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of producing lithium, nickel, cobalt and vanadium from recycling and recovery processes. This creates more resilient, circular supply chains that reduce reliance on traditional mining.

Neometals has three core business units exploiting its technologies under principal, joint venture and licensing models:

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling - Commercializing through 50:50 joint venture Primobius GmbH with German plant builder SMS Group. Providing recycling services in Europe and starting to license technology and supply recycling plants globally.

Lithium Chemicals - Commercializing the patented ELi process to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide from brines and mineral feedstocks. Advancing towards a potential 25,000 tpa operation in Portugal through a JV with local chemical company Bondalti.

Vanadium Recovery - Developing a process to recover high-purity vanadium pentoxide from steel slag. Planning a 9,000 tpa operation in Finland under a JV, with feedstock supply from steelmaker SSAB.

Outstanding Lithium Recovery Innovation

Neometals recently announced a major innovation by its Primobius lithium-ion battery recycling joint venture. Through process improvements, lithium recoveries now exceed 93% by precipitating high-purity lithium fluoride instead of the previous lithium sulfate product.

This can replace the solvent extraction circuit in Primobius’ recycling plants, expected to reduce both operating and capital costs. The high value lithium fluoride is a key component of advanced lithium-ion battery electrolytes, selling at a 60% premium to lithium carbonate carbonate. This will further improve recycling plant economics.

Primobius has received strong interest for its lithium fluoride product from Chinese electrolyte manufacturers and will supply samples for qualification. Further purity improvements are targeted over the coming months. The flexibility remains to produce lithium sulfate if customers require it.

The results mean Primobius can now recover over 95% of all valuable battery materials - lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper. This exceeds mandated EU battery recycling regulations for 2025 and positions Primobius strongly in the European market.

Commercializing Sustainable Battery Recycling

Primobius is commercializing Neometals’ recycling technology through an innovative model. As a 50:50 JV with German plant builder SMS Group, SMS supplies and builds recycling plants for Primobius to own and operate. This removes project execution risks and provides a clear path to market.

Primobius has a 10 year lithium-ion battery recycling contract with Mercedes-Benz at its German demonstration plant. It is now engaging globally with recyclers and battery manufacturers to supply recycling plants and services.

The first commercial 50 tpd recycling plant is planned for Canadian steelmaker Stelco in late 2023. Further opportunities are advancing across Europe and North America as EV adoption accelerates. Neometals’ recycling technology and Primobius' commercial model are proven and ready to scale.

Vertical Integration in the Circular Battery Supply Chain

Neometals is strategically positioned across the circular battery materials supply chain. It can potentially produce key inputs for lithium-ion battery manufacturing from both recycling and primary resources.

This provides optionality, flexibility and resilience as the industry transitions towards circularity. Neometals also benefits from exposure to high growth in electric vehicle sales and battery manufacturing capacity.

Through Primobius, Neometals can supply recycled cobalt, nickel, copper and now high-value lithium fluoride. The ELi process being commercialized can produce low-cost, sustainable lithium hydroxide from brines or minerals.

Evaluating a 25,000 tpa lithium hydroxide operation in Portugal will integrate Neometals downstream to where EV battery materials demand is surging. Vanadium recovery from steel slag offers additional diversification and leverage to the energy transition.

Conclusion

With its innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, Neometals provides exposure to the high-growth battery materials market and circular supply chain. It is advancing commercial lithium-ion battery recycling, while also developing large-scale operations in lithium chemicals and vanadium.

Backed by a strong technical team, Neometals is executing a clear strategy to capitalize on the global transition towards electric mobility. With multiple potential revenue streams, Neometals offers investors leverage to the battery revolution through a specialized circular supply chain focus.