Atlas Materials utilizes a hydrometallurgical process to extract clean nickel and magnesium products with a zero-waste and low-carbon footprint, addressing the urgent need for sustainable materials in the electric vehicle industry. Their Electra Plant will produce low-carbon materials that significantly reduce emissions from heavy polluting sectors, supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future.
Funding
$33.8M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
The electric vehicle (EV) industry faces a growing demand for battery-grade nickel, but traditional nickel extraction methods often result in significant carbon emissions and waste, hindering the sustainability goals of EV manufacturers. Existing processes also struggle to efficiently utilize certain nickel ore types, limiting the available supply.
Solution
Atlas Materials employs a hydrometallurgical process, the Atlas Process, to extract clean nickel and magnesium products from saprolite ores, previously considered uneconomical for battery applications. This zero-waste process significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to conventional nickel production, contributing to a more sustainable EV battery supply chain. The process operates at atmospheric pressure and temperature, combining proven technologies to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Atlas Materials' first commercial plant, Electra, is projected to produce 1,800 tons per year of nickel in mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), along with magnesium hydroxide and supplementary cementitious materials.
Target Audience
Atlas Materials primarily targets electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and battery suppliers seeking a sustainable and low-carbon source of battery-grade nickel.
Features
- Hydrometallurgical process for extracting nickel from saprolite ores.
- Zero-waste process with near-zero CO2 emissions when powered by renewable energy.
- Production of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), magnesium hydroxide, and supplementary cementitious materials.
- Operates at atmospheric pressure and temperature.
- Increases the amount of nickel ore available for battery-grade applications by 50%.
- Commercial agreement with Société Minière Georges Montagnat (SMGM) for long-term nickel ore supply.
- Strategic partnership with 6K Energy to explore integrated processing and refining of battery materials.