Blue Whale Materials (BWM), a pioneering force in lithium-ion battery recycling, and Call2Recycle, North America's foremost battery stewardship organization, have announced a partnership aimed at advancing battery recycling efforts across the continent.

The centerpiece of this partnership is BWM's state-of-the-art sorting and recycling facility located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. This facility will serve as the processing hub for batteries collected through Call2Recycle's vast network, which spans the United States. This collaboration is crucial in establishing a robust domestic supply chain for critical battery materials.

The partnership addresses a critical need: a reliable and efficient system for managing the growing volume of spent lithium-ion batteries. As electric vehicles and other battery-powered devices become increasingly prevalent, the responsible disposal and recycling of these batteries is paramount. This collaboration provides a tangible solution, ensuring that valuable materials are recovered and reintroduced into the manufacturing cycle, rather than ending up in landfills.

Call2Recycle, with its 30-year track record of battery collection stewardship, brings its unparalleled expertise and nationwide reach to the partnership. By leveraging its established infrastructure, Call2Recycle will ensure a consistent and substantial feedstock of spent lithium-ion batteries for BWM's advanced recycling facility. This steady supply is essential for BWM to operate at scale and maximize the recovery of valuable materials.

BWM's proprietary recycling process transforms collected batteries into Blacksand, a high-quality "black mass" containing critical elements such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium. This Blacksand is a vital component for refiners and battery materials manufacturers, effectively closing the loop and creating a circular economy for battery materials. The Bartlesville facility is currently operational for sorting and testing, with processing slated to begin in mid-2025.

"This collaboration with Call2Recycle is a game-changer for Blue Whale Materials," stated Robert Kang, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Whale Materials. "By aligning with the leading battery collection organization in North America, we gain access to the necessary feedstock to fulfill our mission of creating a sustainable and secure battery supply chain. This partnership amplifies our ability to meet the burgeoning demand for responsible lithium-ion battery recycling and underscores our commitment to a circular economy."

Leo Raudys, CEO of Call2Recycle, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Our partnership with Blue Whale Materials is a perfect synergy. Combining BWM's innovative technology with our extensive collection network creates a powerful force for change in the battery recycling landscape. Together, we will significantly reduce waste, recover valuable resources, and pave the way for a more sustainable future."