- Neometals’ (NMT) joint venture company, Primobius, is set to fast-track commercial recycling operations in Hilchenbach, Germany
- Funded by Neometals and SMS Group, Primobius will expand its existing German battery recycling demonstration plant to provide up to 10 tonnes per day (tpd) battery disposal recycling services to European vehicle and cell-makers
- Neometals says this development will further de-risk and enhance the business case for the larger proposed 50tpd Integrated Plant One
- Company shares last traded at 80.5 cents on August 18
Neometals’ (NMT) joint venture company is set to fast-track commercial recycling operations in Hilchenbach, Germany.
Primobius GmbH is a joint venture company shared between Neometals and SMS Group GmbH.
Primobius intends to expand its existing German battery recycling demonstration plant to provide up to 10 tonnes per day (tpd) battery disposal recycling services to European vehicle and cell-makers in the first quarter of 2022.
Primobius says it will shred batteries, physically separate battery components, and sell mixed cathode and anode ‘black mass’ from the Hilchenbach site.
SMS and Neometals have approved funding to make this happen, along with financing the building of a dedicated commercial and operational team, installing new equipment and modifying the current shredder.
The company says this development to fast-track commercial shredding operations will keep pace with the rapidly developing industry and will further de-risk and enhance the business case for the larger proposed 50tpd Integrated Plant One.
Primobius is currently in talks with third parties to secure both a ‘feed’ via disposal service agreements and for the sale of metal foils, steel and plastics produced from the shredder plant – although there is no guarantee at this point that any binding formal agreements will be signed by the company.
Managing Director of Neometals, Chris Reed, said the company was excited to welcome Primobius into the commercial European battery recycling sector.
“The funding approval is an agile response by the joint venture shareholders to strong demand for the safe disposal of growing volumes of lithium-ion batteries arising from warranty returns and at end-of-life,” Mr Reed said.
“As well as being a showcase for potential customers and partners, the facility will provide a valuable training ground for the operations team and will support continuous process improvement ahead of the next scale up to a 50tpd operation.”
Neometals last traded at 80.5 cents on August 18.