Stage 1 Operating At Licensed Levels In Germany
Neometals Ltd (ASX: NMT) has confirmed that Primobius GmbH, the joint venture company owned 50:50 by Neometals and SMS group GmbH, has successfully commissioned the front-end shredding and beneficiation circuit of its showcase lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling demonstration plant (DP).
The DP, located in Primobius’ leased building within the SMS group engineering competence centre in Hilchenbach in Germany, comprises a fully constructed ‘Front-end’ Shredding and Beneficiation Circuit (Stage 1) and a ‘Back-end’ Hydrometallurgical Refining Circuit (Stage 2) which is progressing through mechanical and electrical installation.
Front-end commissioning included charging up the circuit and processing both dummy and charged electric vehicle LIBs to generate plastic, steel and foil product streams together with approximately 1.5 tonne of intermediate active material (Black Mass).
The fully integrated and continuous DP trial constitutes one of the key evaluation activities required for the JV owners to make an investment decision relating to construction of Primobius’ first commercial LIB recycling plant.
Safe commissioning of the DP Front-end is a significant step for Primobius as it can now move towards trialling activities with tested systems, including safety, that have been run in real-world conditions.
Commissioning of the Hydrometallurgical Refining Circuit is expected in September 2021 with all trials due for completion by November 2021. The Refinery circuits will be sequentially dry and wet commissioned before Black Mass is processed in two campaigns.
The Hydrometallurgical Refining Circuit will produce, amongst other things, high-purity metal sulphate products for evaluation by potential customers, partners and offtakers.
Neometals also revealed that Primobius has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award 2022. Awards are given to companies that include sustainability in their business model and make effective transformational contributions with innovative products and services, high ecological standards in production, or special social commitment in their value chain.
The Primobius solution is an energy-efficient and flexible system that meets the needs of various industry stakeholders and helps achieve sustainability goals as it produces high-purity chemicals for re-use in the next generation of LIB’s.
For further information please visit: http://www.neometals.com.au/
