Summary
- Nth Cycle has started operations in Ohio to produce premium nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP)
- The plant can process up to 3,400 tons of scrap materials to produce up to 992 tons of MHP per year
- The plant will serve as a test site for company partners and reduce US reliance on China for MHP supply
- Nth Cycle’s modular Oyster system eliminates the need for stand-alone refining facilities and reduces costs, transportation, time-to-market, emissions, and waste
- The company aims to create a clean, efficient, and cost-effective supply chain for critical metals for an electrified economy
Article
Nth Cycle, a US metal refining and recycling company, has recently launched operations at a facility in Fairfield, Ohio to produce premium nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP). This material is crucial for various clean-energy, consumer, and military applications. The plant is located in a 20,000-square-foot facility and has the capacity to process up to 3,400 tons of scrap materials annually, resulting in the production of up to 992 tons of MHP. Additionally, the facility will be utilized as a test site for company partners, ultimately reducing US reliance on China for MHP supply.
Nth Cycle’s innovative Oyster system is a modular solution that can be co-located and operated on-site with recyclers, manufacturers, and miners. By doing so, the need for standalone refining facilities is eliminated, leading to cost savings and reductions in factors such as transportation, time-to-market, emissions, and waste. The company’s proprietary electro-extraction technology enables the conversion of recyclable industrial waste and mined ore into various critical metals using electricity rather than carbon-fueled pyrometallurgy.
The management of Nth Cycle emphasizes the importance of sustainable and efficient sourcing of critical metals, which are essential for an electrified economy. As the world increasingly relies on these materials, the company aims to provide a clean, unfettered, and cost-efficient supply chain of nickel and cobalt, especially in the form of MHP. This approach aligns with the vision of accelerating progress towards a clean energy future. Megan O’Connor, the co-founder and CEO of Nth Cycle, emphasizes the significance of this transition to ensure a sustainable and environmentally responsible supply chain for critical metals.
By incorporating their electro-extraction technology and modular Oyster system, Nth Cycle aims to revolutionize the way metals are sourced and processed, particularly nickel and cobalt. The company’s operations at the new facility in Fairfield, Ohio highlight their commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and reducing reliance on external sources for critical materials. This approach not only benefits the company but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving a cleaner and more sustainable supply chain for essential metals that power various industries.
Nth Cycle’s focus on reducing reliance on China for MHP supply is strategic, especially considering the increasing demand for these materials in clean-energy applications as well as the potential for geopolitical factors to impact availability. By building a domestic supply chain for MHP and other critical metals, the company ensures greater security and control over essential resources. This localized approach also aligns with the growing emphasis on national security and self-sufficiency in critical industries, such as clean energy and defense.
Overall, Nth Cycle’s new facility in Fairfield, Ohio represents a significant step towards establishing a more sustainable, efficient, and domestically controlled supply chain for critical metals. With its innovative technologies and modular systems, the company is poised to make a lasting impact on the extraction, processing, and utilization of essential materials like nickel and cobalt. By focusing on clean and cost-effective solutions, Nth Cycle is not only addressing current supply chain challenges but also shaping the future of metal refining and recycling in a way that is environmentally conscious and economically viable.
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