BWM provides complete recycling solutions for spent Li-ion batteries and production scrap. Our process produces Blacksand™, a high-concentration, low-impurity, dry, mixed-metal precursor material containing cobalt, nickel, and lithium.
BLACKSAND™ is a mixed-metal material containing cobalt, nickel, and lithium. By meeting the growing demand for critical material for new batteries with a domestic source of recycled cobalt, nickel, and lithium, we are working towards a closed-loop system that supports the domestic supply chain and streamlines logistics for the Li-ion battery industry.
Our state-of-the-art Li-ion battery recycling process is built on leading-edge technology developed and validated in Asia through our team’s extensive experience.
PROCESS
BWM’s commercially validated technology safely discharges and processes end-of-life consumer cells, modules, production scrap, and full EV packs. BWM’s Blacksand™ is a highly concentrated cobalt, nickel, and lithium mixed metal intermediate product optimized for the next step in refining. BWM’s Blacksand™ is dry, has low copper and aluminum content, and has had organics and impurities removed.
RECYCLING CAPABILITIES
Closing the Li-ion Materials Loop
Our existing partnerships, Blacksand™ intermediate metal material, and proprietary technology enable us to offer closed-loop domestic Li-ion battery recycling solutions for our customers.
CONSUMERS
Product containing Li-ion batteries is sold to end-use customers
BATTERY MANUFACTURING
Uses cathode material to create new Li-ion batteries
PRECURSOR/CATHODE MANUFACTURING
Manufactures cathode material
REFINING
Refines BLACKSAND™ into pure cobalt, nickel, and lithium
TESTING & EVALUATION
Battery testing and evaluation services, such as performance assessments, thermal cycling, aging analysis, and abuse and safety testing
COLLECTION & LOGISTICS
Collect spent Li-ion batteries for recycling
RECYCLING
Li-ion battery material is sourced from collectors, manufacturers, and refurbishers
Spent batteries are discharged, grinded, and separated to create intermediate metal material containing cobalt, nickel, and lithium (known as "BLACKSAND™")
BLACKSAND™ is provided to refineries for the manufacture of new Li-ion batteries
Safety
CEO & Co-Founder Robert Kang presented “Safety First: Mitigating Hazards in Black Mass Production during Battery Recycling” at NAATBatt Lithium Battery Recycling Workshop VI in August 2023.
Our process, guided by Failure Mode and Effects Analysis and Hazard and Operability Studies, was designed with an obsession to detail for the safety of our own personnel and every person that touches our product down the supply chain.
BWM was proud to co-chair, with Call2Recycle, the development of the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment guidance document on Electric Vehicle Battery Safe Handling & Storage in July 2023.
Testing
Prior to processing, BWM has the capability to test and grade end-of-life lithium-ion batteries at the pack and module level. Batteries viable for second-use applications are routed to reenter the supply chain.
BW Energy & Innovation, a subsidiary of Blue Whale Materials, offers full service battery testing and evaluation services including performance testing, abuse testing and certifications.