Cirba Solutions plans new lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Arizona

New Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Facility to Enhance Arizona’s Sustainability Efforts

In a strategic move to bolster battery recycling capabilities in the United States, Heritage Battery Recycling, an affiliate of Cirba Solutions, has unveiled plans for a new lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Eloy, Arizona. This initiative aims to bridge the critical materials supply gap essential for the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) and lithium-ion battery sectors.

ELOY, AZ (September 28, 2022) — As electric vehicles gain momentum in the marketplace, the recycling of their batteries becomes increasingly vital. Heritage Battery Recycling is setting the stage for this with its forthcoming facility in Eloy, Arizona, a strategic location chosen to enhance the collection and processing of end-of-life batteries across the West Coast of North America.

This development is timely, given the exponential growth anticipated in the lithium-ion battery market, projected to reach nearly $25 billion by 2028. Federal incentives for the purchase of EVs, requirements for domestic EV battery manufacturing included in the Inflation Reduction Act, and state requirements like California’s recent move to require all new vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035, ensure that lithium-ion battery recycling will be critical for auto-manufacturers to meet demand and have a sustainable future, stated David Klanecky, President and CEO of Cirba Solutions.

The Eloy facility is designed to handle end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap, providing essential services such as disassembly, sorting, warehousing, and diagnostic testing. The processed materials, including Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, and Lithium, will serve as raw materials for new battery production.

This new site expands our footprint and offerings in Arizona, while complimenting the phenomenal services we already provide through our Mesa location, Klanecky added.

With the facility located strategically between Phoenix and Tucson in Pinal County, an existing building will be expanded to 75,000 square feet. During its construction phase, the project is expected to employ 75 workers, with an additional 110 permanent jobs projected once operational. The facility aims to process enough material to support 50,000 EVs annually, with operations slated to start by mid-2023.

Eloy Mayor Micah Powell expressed enthusiasm for the venture, stating, Eloy is pleased to welcome Cirba Solutions to our community. The investment and new jobs fit nicely into Eloy’s ongoing plan to attract quality employers to our community. As has been said, a rising tide raises all boats and in economic development that means supplier and support industries such as Cirba Solutions.

The global push for sustainable energy solutions underscores the importance of such recycling initiatives. With rising demand for EVs and electronics, battery recycling is poised to play a pivotal role in meeting material shortages responsibly. By 2050, recycled minerals are expected to contribute significantly to the U.S. production of cobalt, lithium, and nickel, according to Resources, Conservation and Recycling.

For more information, visit Cirba Solutions or the Arizona Commerce Authority.