Summary
– General Motors is partnering with EV battery recycling firm Redwood Materials to recycle scrap from its manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Tennessee
– Redwood will handle “100 percent” of the scrap from GM’s facilities as part of a deal with Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution
– Redwood has secured recycling partnerships with most major EV battery-making operations in the US and will process cathode and anode material to create high-quality battery materials
– Ultium Cells LLC is already shipping materials to Redwood’s main facility in Nevada for recycling and processing
– Redwood’s chemical recycling process allows for the reintegration of up to 95 percent of key battery metals back into the battery-making process, supporting the sustainable production of new EV batteries.
Article
General Motors has partnered with EV battery and recycling company Redwood Materials to handle all the scrap from its Warren, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tennessee, facilities. This deal is with Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution, and Redwood has secured recycling partnerships with most major EV battery-making operations in the US. Redwood will process cathode and anode material from these facilities into high-quality battery materials that can be sold back to partners for making new EV batteries. Ultium Cells LLC is already shipping materials to Redwood’s main facility in Nevada for recycling, and the joint venture is expected to produce 80GWh of battery cells annually at its two facilities, with a third plant under construction in Michigan.
Redwood states that even the most efficient battery cell manufacturers produce scrap at an average rate of 5–10 percent, equating to over 10,000 tons of material a year that can be recycled. As first-wave electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S reach the end of their lifespan, the need for battery recycling is increasing. Redwood begins a chemical recycling process on batteries received from partners, extracting and refining key elements like nickel, cobalt, and copper. Up to 95 percent of these refined materials can be reintegrated into the battery-making process, helping to close the loop on battery production and reduce the need for mining new materials.
With the growth of the electric vehicle market, proper battery recycling is becoming essential to reducing environmental impact and ensuring a sustainable supply chain for battery materials. Redwood’s partnership with Ultium Cells LLC and other major EV battery-making operations in the US shows a commitment to responsibly managing battery scrap and reclaiming valuable materials for reuse. Processing scrap materials into high-quality battery materials that can be sold back to partners demonstrates a circular economy approach that can support the expanding EV industry while minimizing waste and resource depletion.
As the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, the need for efficient and effective battery recycling processes will become increasingly important. Redwood’s expertise in extracting and refining key battery materials from scrap will play a crucial role in supporting the transition to electric mobility. By reusing materials extracted from old batteries to make new ones, Redwood and its partners can reduce the environmental impact of battery production and contribute to a more sustainable future for the EV industry. This partnership with GM and LG Energy Solution further solidifies Redwood’s position as a leader in EV battery recycling and highlights the importance of collaborations between industry players to address the challenges of battery waste and resource management.
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