Ascend Elements and Trafigura Forge Multi-Year Partnership to Advance Sustainable Lithium Supply
Ascend Elements, a pioneering company in sustainable engineered battery materials and lithium-ion recycling, today announced the signing of a significant multi-year offtake agreement with Trafigura, one of the world’s leading commodities trading firms. The deal encompasses the supply of 15,000 metric tons (15 kilotons) of lithium carbonate, to be delivered over a five-year period from 2027 through 2031, marking a strategic milestone for both companies as they advance the global energy transition.
Under the agreement, Trafigura will leverage its global marketing, logistics, and distribution capabilities to support the placement of lithium carbonate across international markets, while Ascend Elements will produce refined, low-carbon lithium carbonate derived from recycled lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap. The lithium is processed using Ascend Elements’ patented Hydro-to-Cathode® technology, a method designed to maximize recovery efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. This collaboration is poised to strengthen both companies’ commitments to sustainability, supply chain resilience, and circular economy principles.
Hydro-to-Cathode®: Driving Circularity in Battery Materials
Ascend Elements’ Hydro-to-Cathode® process represents a transformative approach in the production of lithium carbonate. Unlike traditional lithium extraction methods, which rely on mining raw materials from lithium brine or hard rock, the Hydro-to-Cathode® method recycles lithium from end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap. This not only diverts waste from landfills but also significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with lithium production, aligning with growing regulatory and market demands for low-carbon and responsibly sourced materials.
By integrating Trafigura’s logistics and global market reach with the Hydro-to-Cathode® process, Ascend Elements aims to offer a lithium supply that is not only environmentally responsible but also traceable and reliable for battery manufacturers. The partnership is designed to support the scaling of battery supply chains in North America and Europe, regions where governments and manufacturers are actively seeking sustainable and domestic solutions to meet rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems.
Expanding the Global Supply Chain and Reducing Risk
Linh Austin, President and CEO of Ascend Elements, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership: “Trafigura’s global platform paired with our Hydro-to-Cathode® process turns circularity into supply security. Together we’ll deliver low-carbon, recycled lithium carbonate that is traceable, responsibly sourced, and available where customers build across the U.S. and Europe. This reduces carbon footprint, lowers costs, and mitigates geopolitical risk while accelerating the development of a resilient battery supply chain.”
Austin highlighted that the agreement is not only about supplying materials but also about ensuring that the growing battery industry can meet sustainability targets. With automakers and energy storage companies increasingly focused on reducing the environmental impact of their supply chains, access to recycled, low-carbon lithium provides both an economic and strategic advantage.
Trafigura’s Role in Enabling Global Distribution
Trafigura, with its extensive expertise in commodities trading, metals, and minerals logistics, brings a crucial component to the partnership: global reach. The company operates one of the largest networks for storage, transportation, and marketing of industrial commodities, ensuring that lithium carbonate produced by Ascend Elements can be efficiently delivered to end-users across multiple continents.
Gonzalo De Olazaval, Global Head of Metals and Minerals at Trafigura, reflected on the collaboration: “We are pleased to be partnering with Ascend Elements and supporting the circular economy. Ascend Elements’ patented process, which produces battery-grade lithium carbonate from domestic scrap, is advancing the development of domestic battery supply chains in the U.S. and Europe – a priority to ensure security of supply.”
By combining Ascend Elements’ innovative processing technology with Trafigura’s global trading and logistics capabilities, the partnership is set to address one of the critical bottlenecks in the EV and energy storage industries: reliable, traceable, and environmentally responsible lithium supply.
Supporting the Transition to Low-Carbon Energy
The agreement aligns with broader global trends in the transition to low-carbon energy systems. Lithium-ion batteries, which are central to EVs, grid-scale storage, and portable electronics, rely heavily on the availability of lithium carbonate. Traditional sources, often extracted from hard rock or brine, are associated with significant environmental impacts and geopolitical risks due to concentration of supply in specific regions. By producing lithium carbonate from recycled materials domestically and in Europe, Ascend Elements addresses both sustainability and supply chain security.
Additionally, this partnership supports automakers’ circularity objectives. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly being asked to ensure that the materials in their batteries are responsibly sourced, environmentally friendly, and traceable. With Trafigura’s ability to market and distribute these materials globally, Ascend Elements’ low-carbon lithium can reach key markets efficiently, helping OEMs meet regulatory compliance and corporate sustainability goals.
Scaling Domestic Battery Supply Chains
The five-year offtake agreement, covering 15,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate, positions Ascend Elements to play a key role in the growing North American and European battery markets. The company plans to scale its operations to meet rising demand while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and supply chain transparency.
“This partnership represents a model for how industry leaders can collaborate to build resilient, sustainable, and circular supply chains,” Austin added. “We are not just producing lithium; we are providing a path forward for a low-carbon energy future that balances economic growth, environmental stewardship, and security of supply.”
Trafigura’s engagement also reinforces the growing importance of recycling in the global battery ecosystem. By sourcing lithium from end-of-life batteries and scrap, the companies are creating a closed-loop system that reduces reliance on primary extraction and lessens the environmental footprint of the entire battery supply chain.
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