Blue Whale Materials (BWM), a leader in lithium-ion battery recycling, has announced a strategic partnership with Call2Recycle, the foremost battery stewardship organization in North America. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in the field of battery recycling, addressing the urgent need for sustainable and domestically sourced battery materials. Through this partnership, Blue Whale Materials’ cutting-edge sorting and recycling facility, located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, will receive and process spent batteries collected through Call2Recycle’s extensive national network.
Call2Recycle has been at the forefront of battery collection and recycling for over 30 years, establishing itself as a trusted steward of responsible battery disposal and recycling solutions. The addition of Blue Whale Materials as a sorting and processing partner will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Call2Recycle’s collection network, ensuring a more streamlined process for handling lithium-ion batteries.
The Need for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling
Lithium-ion batteries power a vast array of modern technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs), consumer electronics, and renewable energy storage systems. As demand for these batteries continues to rise, so does the need for sustainable recycling solutions. Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries can lead to environmental hazards, including toxic chemical leakage and fire risks. Therefore, the development of an effective recycling infrastructure is crucial to mitigating these risks while recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
The partnership between Blue Whale Materials and Call2Recycle is set to play a crucial role in North America’s battery recycling efforts. By combining Call2Recycle’s well-established collection network with BWM’s innovative recycling technologies, this collaboration will work toward creating a circular battery economy that minimizes waste and maximizes resource recovery.
Blue Whale Materials’ Advanced Recycling Facility
Blue Whale Materials’ Bartlesville facility represents a leap forward in lithium-ion battery recycling. Currently operational for sorting and testing, the facility is set to begin processing in mid-2025. BWM’s proprietary recycling process converts spent lithium-ion batteries into Blacksand™, a high-quality black mass material that serves as a critical feedstock for refiners and battery materials manufacturers.
Blacksand™ is an essential material in the battery supply chain, containing concentrated amounts of key elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. By producing this refined black mass, Blue Whale Materials is helping to reduce reliance on virgin mining operations and instead focus on recovering valuable resources from existing batteries.
The Role of Call2Recycle in Battery Collection
Call2Recycle has built a nationwide infrastructure dedicated to the safe and responsible collection of batteries. The organization has partnered with retailers, municipalities, businesses, and manufacturers to establish an efficient and effective battery take-back system. Through its extensive network, Call2Recycle collects millions of pounds of batteries each year, diverting them from landfills and ensuring their safe processing.
By integrating Blue Whale Materials into its processing network, Call2Recycle is strengthening its ability to manage lithium-ion battery waste. This partnership ensures that collected batteries are directed to a state-of-the-art facility where they will be processed with the latest recycling technologies.
Statements from Leadership
Robert Kang, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Whale Materials, emphasized the importance of the partnership in achieving long-term sustainability goals. “This collaboration will allow Blue Whale Materials to support Call2Recycle’s unmatched collection network and expand our ability to meet the growing demand for responsible lithium-ion battery recycling,” said Kang. “By partnering with the leading battery collection organization in North America, we’re ensuring that Blue Whale Materials has access to the feedstock necessary to drive our long-term mission of supporting a sustainable and secure battery supply chain.”
Leo Raudys, CEO of Call2Recycle, highlighted the synergy between the two organizations. “Our partnership with Blue Whale Materials is a natural fit,” Raudys stated. “With BWM’s cutting-edge technology and our expansive collection reach, we are setting the stage for a significant leap forward in battery recycling. Together, we will make a tangible impact on reducing waste and recovering valuable materials for future use.”
The Broader Impact on the Battery Industry
The implications of this partnership extend beyond just the recycling process. By strengthening North America’s battery recycling infrastructure, Blue Whale Materials and Call2Recycle are actively contributing to the reduction of dependency on foreign sources for critical battery materials. The ability to efficiently recover and reuse lithium, nickel, and cobalt from spent batteries reduces the environmental and economic impact of mining these resources from the earth.
Furthermore, the partnership aligns with growing regulatory and corporate sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing e-waste and promoting resource circularity. Governments worldwide are increasingly implementing policies that encourage the development of a closed-loop battery ecosystem, where end-of-life batteries are systematically collected, processed, and reintegrated into the supply chain. This collaboration between BWM and Call2Recycle is a proactive response to these emerging regulations and market demands.
Innovations in Battery Recycling Technology
Blue Whale Materials’ proprietary technology is at the forefront of lithium-ion battery recycling advancements. Traditional battery recycling methods often involve pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical processes, which can be energy-intensive and produce harmful emissions. BWM’s innovative approach prioritizes sustainability by employing a more efficient mechanical and chemical process that minimizes waste and reduces carbon emissions.
The production of Blacksand™ is a testament to BWM’s commitment to sustainable innovation. By refining and optimizing the black mass extraction process, BWM ensures that valuable materials are recovered with the highest level of purity, making them suitable for direct reintegration into the battery manufacturing supply chain.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Recycled Battery Materials
As electric vehicles and renewable energy storage solutions continue to gain traction, the demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to skyrocket. This rapid increase in battery production necessitates a parallel expansion in recycling capabilities to prevent supply chain bottlenecks and environmental challenges.
By establishing this partnership, Blue Whale Materials and Call2Recycle are positioning themselves as key players in the transition toward a sustainable battery ecosystem. Their combined efforts will not only improve battery waste management but also ensure a steady supply of recycled materials that can be used to manufacture new batteries.
The Future of Battery Recycling
The partnership between Blue Whale Materials and Call2Recycle sets a precedent for future collaborations in the battery recycling industry. As more organizations recognize the importance of a circular economy, similar alliances will be essential in scaling up recycling efforts and addressing the growing volume of end-of-life batteries.
In the coming years, advancements in recycling technology, policy support, and industry cooperation will be critical in achieving a sustainable battery future. Blue Whale Materials and Call2Recycle are leading the charge in this endeavor, demonstrating that strategic partnerships can drive meaningful progress in environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.
