Li-Metal Produces Lithium Metal Ingots Using Reprocessing Technology

Li-Metal becomes one of the first technology developers and advanced battery material suppliers to successfully reprocess anode scrap material into metal ingots suitable for foil production

Li-Metal commissions lithium metal reprocessing and casting facility in Markham, Ontario, which has the capacity to process up to 15 metric tonnes of anode scrap material per year

Validates a key component of modular, patented C2M technology and strengthens ability to deliver sustainable lithium metal solutions for next-generation battery anodes

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 8, 2023 / Li-Metal Corp. (CSE:LIM)(OTCQB:LIMFF)(FSE:5ZO) ("Li-Metal" or the "Company"), a developer of lithium metal anode and lithium metal production technologies critical for next-generation batteries, today announced the successful production and shipment of its first batch of lithium metal ingots. The lithium metal ingots were produced at Li-Metal's recently commissioned lithium metal reprocessing and casting facility in Markham, Ontario, which has the capacity to process up to 15 metric tonnes of anode scrap material per year.

Lithium metal anodes are produced either through a conventional extrusion/rolling or through more economically viable physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes, the commercialization of which Li-Metal is championing in conjunction with its exclusive manufacturing partner, Mustang Vacuum Systems. Traditional extrusion processes require the lithium metal to be supplied in ingot form. On average, production scrap generated by gigafactories can have up to a 30% metal scrap rate.^[i] Lithium metal ingot manufacturing scraps are currently designated as hazardous waste and, typically, incinerated whereby valuable, critical battery materials are lost forever.

To enhance the sustainability of lithium metal anodes and to overcome the need to incinerate scrap lithium metal, Li-Metal developed a novel reprocessing and casting technology. The Company's technology reprocesses the scrap lithium into ingots that may be used for anode production. The lithium metal ingot (seen in the image), a large solid block of metal, was produced using lithium material from production scrap from lithium foil producers. As Li-Metal continues to progress with its lithium metal reprocessing program and demonstrating the continuous production of lithium metal ingots, the Company is currently evaluating scrap samples from multiple partners to scale capacity. Li-Metal expects to eventually leverage the pilot facility and know-how generated during the scale up of the reprocessing facility to help its potential partners produce high purity specialty lithium-alloy ingots for advanced battery producers.