Primobius

Primobius is a joint venture between Australian company Neometals Ltd. and German engineering firm SMS group. However, Primobius has entered into a significant partnership with Canadian steelmaker Stelco to establish lithium-ion battery recycling operations in North America. In December 2021, Primobius executed binding licensing and option agreements with Stelco to commercialize Primobius's proprietary advanced electric vehicle battery recycling and processing technologies in North America. The partnership plans to build a 20,000-tonne per annum integrated shredding and hydrometallurgical refinery facility at Stelco's Lake Erie Works in Ontario, Canada. This facility aims to recycle lithium-ion batteries from end-of-life electric vehicles, producing valuable materials such as nickel, manganese, cobalt sulfates, and lithium hydroxide, while also generating scrap steel for Stelco's steelmaking operations. The agreement grants Primobius the option to acquire between 25% and 50% equity in Stelco's battery recycling subsidiary, with operations targeted to begin in 2023.