Glencore, the Anglo-Swiss commodity miner and trader, announced that its battery recycling plant in Portovesme, Italy is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2024. The company has recently accelerated its plans for the project, initiating a two-phase approach to its development.
Phase One: Processing and Production
In the first phase of the project, the plant will have the capacity to process up to 11,000 metric tons of black mass, which refers to shredded old batteries, annually. Additionally, it aims to produce approximately 1,500 tons of lithium carbonate, up to 3,000 tons of contained nickel, and about 500 tons of contained cobalt.
Phase Two: Full-Scale Production
The second phase of the project, which remains unchanged, will involve full-scale production at the facility. Glencore expects the plant’s black-mass processing capacity to range from 50,000 to 70,000 tons each year. Furthermore, it anticipates an annual production of up to 16,500 tons of lithium carbonate, along with approximately 18,000 tons of contained nickel and 2,250 tons of contained cobalt.
The development of this recycling facility is a collaborative effort between Glencore’s subsidiary, Glencore International, and Li-Cycle, a battery recycling company based in Canada. Both entities plan to establish a 50-50 joint venture for the Portovesme hub in the future.
