Ascend Elements to Increase U.S. Lithium Carbonate Production by 60% with New Facility

Ascend Elements is expanding its U.S. lithium carbonate production by 60% with a new facility in Covington, Georgia. The plant, set to begin in 2025, will produce 3,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually. This expansion will help meet the growing demand for lithium, especially in the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage industries. It will also reduce the U.S.’s reliance on imported lithium.

First Commercial-Scale Recycled Lithium Carbonate Production

This facility will be the first in the U.S. to produce recycled lithium carbonate at a commercial scale. This is important as EV production and energy storage solutions increase the demand for lithium. Currently, the only domestic source is Nevada’s mining operations. Ascend’s plant will strengthen the U.S. supply chain for this essential material.

Environmental Benefits of Ascend’s Recycling Process

Ascend’s recycling process dramatically reduces the environmental impact of lithium extraction. The company’s method emits just 2.27 kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of lithium carbonate. In contrast, traditional methods like spodumene mining emit 16.7 kilograms of CO2. Ascend’s process is 86% less carbon-intensive than spodumene mining and 37% less than Chilean brine extraction, promoting sustainability and clean energy.

Overview of the Covington Facility and Future Outlook

Since 2022, the Covington facility has recycled up to 30,000 metric tons of lithium-ion battery materials annually, equivalent to about 70,000 EV battery packs. With a planned production capacity of 3,000 metric tons of recycled lithium carbonate annually, this plant will be a critical part of the U.S. battery supply chain. This expansion supports a circular economy, reducing the need for mining and contributing to clean energy transitions.