Metastable Materials commissions chemical-free recycling unit for dead lithium batteries

Bengaluru-based Metastable Materials has announced the commissioning of a battery recycling facility in Karnataka with a capacity to process 1,500 tonnes of dead batteries per year. The unit is spread across over 21,000 sq.ft. land on the outskirts of Bengaluru, and employs a chemical-free Integrated Carbothermal Reduction process to extract valuable materials out of dead lithium-ion batteries.

“The unit is equipped with intensive quality control and material handling capabilities in order to facilitate and manage ‘waste-as-ore’ concept-based recycling of hazardous end-of-life batteries and products. Its in-house Quality Control Lab constantly ensures the highest quality of output materials,” stated the company.

In the near future, the unit will also be doubling down as an on-site R&D center to enable improvements in yield, purity and the overall process efficiency for Metastable.

Following the commissioning of the new facility, Metastable Materials is now looking to actively ramp up its production capabilities to achieve its optimal capacity of processing 5 tonnes of raw materials (through urban mining) per day over the next few quarters. In a year, Metastable’s new unit will be capable of handling up to 1,500 tons of batteries.

Metastable Materials claims the unit is one of the safest recycling facilities in the entire world, as it is designed to produce zero effluents and completely eliminate fire hazards that are usually associated with recycling of lithium-ion batteries. It also said its battery treatment methodology significantly reduces capital expenditure and operational expenditure in comparison to the conventional battery recycling practices, and offers a recovery rate of over 90% for the constituent materials.

“With this unit expected to be handling up to 1,500 tons at its full operational capacity, it would work as a training ground for the extended Metastable team to gain the much-needed experience and practical exposure in the recycling of LiBs. This unit shall also enable Metastable Materials to be equipped well-enough with market experience to extend its services across the globe,” said Shubham Vishvakarma, founder and chief of process engineering at Metastable Materials.