Telescope produces Li2CO3 from recycled waste stream

Executive Summary

• Telescope Innovations successfully isolated lithium from a battery‑recycling waste stream and converted it to >99.9 % battery‑grade lithium carbonate using its proprietary ReCRFT process.
• The achievement marks the first commercial‑scale application of ReCRFT to recycled black‑mass leach solutions, addressing a key gap in sustainable lithium supply chains.
• First batches have been delivered to Cellmine and the University of St. Andrews for downstream battery testing and validation.

Key Details

• Process Milestone: Completed transition from proof‑of‑concept (April 2024) to full process demonstration, producing battery‑grade Li₂CO₃ (>99.9 % purity).
• Technical Insight: Utilized precise crystallization control rather than multi‑step reagent addition to isolate lithium carbonate from recycling brines.
• Lithium Content Context: Lithium represents 16–55 % of total metal value in spent battery black‑mass leach solutions, underscoring the economic importance of recovery.
• Partnership Deliveries: First recycled Li₂CO₃ shipments sent to:
• Cellmine – next‑generation battery recycler (testing for sulphate‑free recycling integration).
• University of St. Andrews – Prof. John Irvine’s research group (fabrication and testing of lithium‑ion cells).
• Quotes:
• Dr. Jason Hein, CTO: Emphasized the shift to crystallization control and successful demonstration of a scalable pathway.
• Simon Rathbone, CEO of Cellmine: Highlighted the strategic value of high‑purity recycled Li₂CO₃ for sustainable cathode production.
• Strategic Impact: Demonstrates Telescope’s ability to move from laboratory innovation to supply‑chain‑relevant material, potentially enhancing resilience and sustainability of lithium‑ion battery manufacturing.

Notable Quotes

“We set out to build a new pathway for battery recycling that is compatible with the scale and technoeconomics of the challenge,” – Dr. Jason Hein, Chief Technology Officer, Telescope Innovations.

“Access to high-purity, battery‑grade lithium carbonate from recycled sources is a critical step in scaling sustainable cathode production,” – Simon Rathbone, CEO, Cellmine.