Ontario-based Li-Metal Corporation (CSE: LIM) announced the successful production and shipment of its first batch of lithium metal ingots, which were produced at the company's recently commissioned Markham reprocessing and casting facility.
The facility can process up to 15 metric tons of anode waste per year using Li-Metal's reprocessing and casting technology, which reconfigures waste lithium from sources such as lithium foil producers into ingots that can be used in anode production.
"Lithium metal anodes are either produced by traditional extrusion/rolling or by the more economically viable physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, and Li-Metal is advocating commercialization with its exclusive manufacturing partner Mustang Vacuum Systems," the company said in a media statement.
"The traditional extrusion process requires lithium metal to be supplied in ingot form. On average, the production waste produced by gigafactory has a metal scrap rate of up to 30%. Lithium ingot manufacturing waste is currently designated as hazardous waste and is often incinerated, thus losing valuable critical battery material forever."
Li-Metal said it hopes to eventually use the pilot facility and the expertise generated during the expanded reprocessing facility to help its potential partners produce high-purity specialty lithium alloy ingots for advanced battery producers.
"We are delighted to be able to use our reprocessing and casting technology to produce the first batch of lithium metal ingots and commission our new facility in Markham," said Li-Metal CEO Srini Godavarthy in the briefing.
"The ability to produce lithium metal products is a key differentiator for Li-Metal's positioning in the next generation battery ecosystem, further contributing to the growth and development of our business." This is an important milestone in our roadmap as we advance our technology and plan to become a leading vertically integrated and domestic supplier of lithium metal and high-performance anode materials."
Godavarthy noted that earlier this year, Li-Metal also successfully produced its first lithium metal product using its patented carbonate-to-metal (C2M) technology, which aims to produce high-quality lithium metal ingots with the lowest possible environmental footprint.
"The additional capacity to produce lithium metal ingots from scrap allows for diversity in raw material supply, which is critical for the company to continue advancing its C2M metal technology and ultra-thin lithium metal anode platform," the executive said.
