Blue Whale Materials (BWM) – a leader in advanced lithium-ion battery recycling – announced it has been selected for negotiation of an award of over $55 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing Program.
The selection is part of BWM’s larger $110 million expansion initiative, which will enable BWM’s state-of-the-art facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to process up to 50,000 tons of battery feedstock annually and produce enough valuable critical minerals to power 100,000+ electric vehicles annually.
These expanded operations will convert 3.5 times more end-of-life batteries and production scrap into Blacksand, a high-purity, dry, mixed-metal precursor that stands apart from the conventional black mass. And this state-of-the-art process recovers up to 98% of the cobalt and nickel in lithium-ion batteries and production scrap. It significantly reduces contaminants such as aluminum, copper, and fluorine, leading to a high metal recovery rate and creating an optimized input for downstream metal refiners and battery material manufacturers.
BWM is a portfolio company of Ara Partners, which is a global private equity firm that is decarbonizing the industrial economy. And by scaling up operations, BWM will further establish itself as a leading supplier of critical minerals for electric vehicle manufacturers, battery producers, and energy storage companies. The expansion is another meaningful step toward creating a closed loop and sustainable feedstock solutions for spent lithium-ion batteries.
The expansion is expected to create 150 permanent jobs and 180 construction jobs, increasing local employment in Bartlesville and contributing to the state’s sustainable growth.
About $3 million of the grant would go towards workforce development and community outreach through expanded partnership programs with the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Blue Star Recyclers, Tri-County Tech, and James Emmett and Company.
KEY QUOTES:
“The DOE’s backing underscores the importance of building a sustainable and resilient supply chain for critical minerals right here in the U.S. This expansion not only supports our mission but also fuels economic growth in Bartlesville, a historic energy community.”
-BWM CEO Robert Kang
“The State of Oklahoma welcomes this additional investment to expand the Blue Whale Materials li-ion battery recycling plant in Bartlesville. This investment aligns with our state’s focus on self-sufficiency in critical materials production and will bring quality jobs and investment to Oklahoma.”
-Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
“This selection for award by DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains is further validation of BWM’s pioneering battery recycling process, and Ara Partners is proud to have partnered with Blue Whale Materials to submit the proposal for award. Government partnerships are essential to decarbonize the industrial economy and increase U.S. manufacturing capabilities.”
-Reese Goldsmith, Head of Government Affairs for Ara Partners
