Alameda, California based lead recycling technology developer, Aqua Metals, (NASDAQ:AQMS) has produced its recycled lead using its AquaRefined process at its AquaRefinery in McCarran, Nevada.
The company explained that its AquaRefining process is a water-based, room-temperature process and claimed that it is only clean lead recycling method.
It is said to use an entirely reusable water-based technology to produce ingots of ultrapure lead, verified over 99.99% pure.
The company added that it will send its initial production samples to several U.S. battery manufacturing companies - which collectively is said to represent over 50% of US battery production - to allow them to conduct their own assays.
“This is a major milestone – not just for our company, but for the entire industry,” said Dr. Stephen R. Clarke, chairman and CEO of Aqua Metals. “Our commercial-scale AquaRefining modules have the potential to revolutionise lead recycling and make lead-acid batteries the only truly sustainable battery technology.”
“We are confident that our lead products will exceed the most rigorous industry specifications,” he added.
Aqua Metals said that previously demonstrated its technology at bench scale, pilot scale and with a single, full-size electrolyzer. The Company has now produced high-quality AquaRefined lead with a commercial-scale AquaRefining module at its facility in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in Nevada.
The company manufactures its AquaRefining modules at its headquarters in Alameda and said that it has built and delivered a total of five modules to its Nevada AquaRefinery thus far and plans to install and commission a total of 16 modules for initial production capacity of 80 metric tonnes of lead per day.
“This is the most critical step in the commissioning process of the Nevada AquaRefinery,” said. Clarke. “Over the coming weeks we plan to fully integrate the front-end battery-breaking portion of the facility.”
Aqua Metals said that it anticipates that the Nevada AquaRefinery will reach its initial production capacity within the coming months.
The company added that it has formed strategic partnerships with Interstate Batteries and Battery Systems International and is in discussions with nearly every major US based battery manufacturer and recycler, as well as data center operators and household internet brands which use lead-acid batteries for backup power.
A video explaining the process can be viewed below.
https://youtu.be/wB002PB75No
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