Echo Elements uses molten salt electrochemistry to recover critical minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese from e-waste and batteries as pure metals—without acid. The process operates below 400°C, reduces water use by 90%, and cuts costs by 30-50% compared to conventional methods. This clean approach supports domestic battery supply chains and sustainable recycling at scale.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional battery and e-waste recycling relies on acid-based hydrometallurgical processes or high-temperature smelting, both of which generate toxic waste, consume large amounts of water and energy, and recover only a limited subset of critical minerals. This leaves valuable materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese unrecovered or recovered at high environmental cost.
Solution
Echo Elements provides a molten salt electrochemistry platform that recovers critical minerals from e-waste and spent batteries as pure metals without the use of acid. The process operates at temperatures below 400°C, significantly lower than traditional smelting, and reduces water consumption by up to 90% while lowering operational costs by 30-50%. This technology enables direct recovery of multiple metals in a single process, producing high-purity outputs suitable for reuse in new battery manufacturing. The company's Nevada-based operations are positioned to support domestic critical mineral supply chains and the growing clean energy transition.
Target Audience
Primary customers are battery manufacturers, e-waste recyclers, and critical mineral processors seeking sustainable, cost-effective recovery solutions to secure domestic supply chains.
Features
- Molten salt electrochemistry that recovers lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese as pure metals in a single process
- Acid-free extraction method that eliminates toxic waste streams and reduces water usage by up to 90%
- Low-temperature operation below 400°C, cutting energy consumption compared to conventional smelting
- Cost advantage of 30-50% lower operational expenses versus traditional recycling methods
- Scalable process designed for integration with battery manufacturers and e-waste recyclers