SPARC Evolution has created a proprietary refining platform that converts lithium‑ion battery waste directly into battery‑grade pCAM and lithium hydroxide, bypassing solvent extraction and metal‑by‑metal separation.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Current lithium‑ion battery recycling relies on solvent extraction and metal‑by‑metal separation, which are energy‑intensive, costly, and generate significant waste, making large‑scale domestic refining uneconomical.
Solution
SPARC Evolution’s proprietary SPARC™ platform refines black‑mass from NMC and LFP batteries in a single streamlined flow, directly producing battery‑grade precursor cathode active material (pCAM) and lithium hydroxide. The process eliminates solvent extraction, full metal separation, and multi‑step crystallization, reducing capital and operating costs while lowering waste generation. Pilot‑scale validation demonstrates high‑purity outputs that match virgin‑derived materials, enabling immediate use in cathode and cell manufacturing. The technology is designed for profitable operation at commercial scale and can handle mixed or variable‑grade feedstocks, supporting a domestic supply chain for critical battery materials.
Target Audience
Primary customers are battery manufacturers, cathode producers, and OEMs seeking domestic, cost‑effective sources of high‑purity cathode materials and lithium hydroxide.
Features
- Direct conversion of battery black‑mass to battery‑grade pCAM and lithium hydroxide in one step
- Eliminates solvent extraction and full metal separation, cutting energy use and waste
- Handles both NMC and LFP chemistries, including mixed feedstocks
- High recovery rates with low salt waste and zero‑liquid‑discharge water management
- Scalable hydrometallurgical unit operations suitable for compact, local plants
- Pilot‑validated product purity confirmed by an independent U.S. national laboratory
- Patent‑protected process covering NMC and LFP streams