News

Mitsubishi Materials Corporation will construct a pilot plant for further development as a next step toward establishing lithium-ion battery ("LIB") recycling technology.

Rare metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are the materials used in LIBs, are expected to be in short supply in the near future, making them an important issue for growth strategies in the industry as a whole. To address the issue, in addition to the development of underground resources, measures are being taken to recycle materials and to develop alternative materials.
We have been developing technologies through small-scale tests to commercialize the recovery and refinement of rare metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel from Black Mass (*1). Having achieved certain results, as a next step, we will build a pilot plant at Onahama Smelter & Refinery of Onahama Smelting and Refining Co., Ltd. in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture to further develop technologies for the commercialization of high-efficiency recovery of rare metals from Black Mass.

(*1)

Concentrated residue of lithium, cobalt and nickel sorted from LIBs that have been discharged, dried and crushed.

The technical development associated with the construction of the pilot plant will be supported by a grant from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which is related to its stable supply plan of critical minerals.
The Group has set out "Our Commitment" of "For people, society and the earth, circulating resources for a sustainable future." We will continue to contribute to build a recycling-oriented society by utilizing our recycling technology.

< Overview of the Pilot Plant >

Raw materials

LIB derived Black Mass

Products

Battery-grade lithium carbonate, nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate

Commencement of operation

2025

Location

On the site of Onahama Smelter & Refinery, Onahama Smelting and Refining Co., Ltd.