Blue Whale Materials announced the appointment of Jack Johnson as Chief Executive Officer. The company said the leadership change comes as it enters its commercial scale-up phase, supported by a significant growth capital financing round.
Blue Whale Materials is a domestic lithium-ion battery recycling and critical minerals recovery company. Johnson will lead the company as it scales its advanced materials manufacturing process into one of the largest battery recycling operations in North America.
Johnson brings more than two decades of experience in advanced manufacturing. He has spent a decade leading battery and energy-storage companies and previously led the design, construction, and commissioning of one of the first large-scale lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
He has also founded and led multiple advanced materials companies. His experience aligns with Blue Whale Materials’ next stage of growth as the company expands operations and commercial partnerships.
Co-founder Robert Kang, who has served as CEO since the company’s founding, will transition to support commercial partnerships. The company said the leadership shift is designed to support its next phase of market expansion.
Blue Whale Materials’ scale-up is backed by growth capital financing that includes a senior secured credit facility from Breakwall Capital and an upsized equity commitment from Ara Partners. Ara Partners first invested in the company in 2022.
The new financing builds on a $55 million Department of Energy grant awarded to the company in January 2025. Blue Whale Materials said the combined capital base gives it the resources to execute its multi-phase buildout from a position of strength.
The company’s baseline operations came online in August 2025. An initial capacity expansion is expected to become operational this month, bringing total annual processing capacity to 20,000 metric tons of battery feedstock.
Using its proprietary process, Blue Whale Materials recovers high-purity critical minerals from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap. These materials include nickel, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
The company produces Blacksand, a premium black mass designed to re-enter the domestic battery supply chain. Blue Whale Materials said the strengthened leadership team and balance sheet will help scale capacity and support the domestic critical minerals market.
KEY QUOTES:
“Blue Whale Materials has done the hard part, proving the commercial value of its differentiated process. My focus is execution: scaling the Bartlesville facility, deepening customer relationships, and strengthening the domestic battery supply chain. The team, the technology, and the capital are all in place to move quickly.”
Jack Johnson, CEO of Blue Whale Materials
“The foundations for BWM’s success are firmly in place, and the market demand for domestic critical minerals has never been higher. Our next phase of growth is focused on unlocking our full commercial potential, deepening our industry partnerships, and scaling our advanced manufacturing capabilities. With the backing of Ara Partners, Breakwall, and the DOE, we are uniquely positioned to lead the market.”
Cory Steffek, Partner at Ara Partners
“Blue Whale Materials is exactly the kind of company Breakwall seeks to support. A differentiated process, a proven commercial model, and a clear path to scale. Our senior secured credit facility, along with additional equity investment from Ara Partners and support from the Department of Energy, gives BWM a balance sheet built for growth, and we’re proud to be a long-term financing partner.”
Daniel Flannery, Managing Partner and President of Breakwall Capital
