In a year-end review from Ascend Elements, officials noted this week that 2025 marked “a major turning point for large-scale battery recycling,” proving that circular production can work commercially while reducing costs and carbon emissions.
President and CEO Linh Austin noted the company has shown that recycled battery materials can be produced at scale in the U.S. and Europe, giving manufacturers a reliable domestic alternative to foreign supply chains.
The company highlighted several year-end milestones, including securing a $340 million grant commitment from the Republic of Poland to expand lithium and cathode material processing in Europe.
Over the last 12 months, Ascend also became the first U.S. producer of recycled lithium carbonate at commercial scale, with operations in Georgia and plans to expand production to Poland. The company expects to produce more than 15,000 tons annually by 2027.
In November, Ascend finalized a multi-year lithium carbonate supply agreement with commodities firm Trafigura, providing long-term revenue certainty and signaling strong market confidence in its recycling-based approach.
Earlier this month, the company also announced a nearly $1 billion, multi-year supply contract with a global automaker, and Austin noted the agreement reflects growing demand from manufacturers seeking clean, transparent and domestically-sourced battery materials.
Ascend affirms it is the only Western company operating a fully integrated, commercial-scale platform that converts recycled batteries directly into cathode materials and battery-grade lithium, cutting emissions by up to 90 percent compared to traditional mining.
Looking ahead, the company plans to scale operations in both Hopkinsville and Poland beginning in 2026.
Furthermore, Austin says Ascend’s goal is not just to build a supply chain, but to strengthen energy independence and sustainability by reusing materials already in the economy.
