What's the Problem?

Motivated by reducing carbon emissions and supported by regulations and policies, the world is moving away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable energy sources. The big driver of this transition is the electric car market. However, the growing and exponential demand in this market generates two major challenges: a notable increase in e-waste (75 million tons by 2030) and a shortage in the supply of critical minerals. Therefore, the circular economy becomes an obligation and a crucial solution for this industry. The current solutions for metal recycling are based on the same old technology: Hydrometallurgy. It is a complex, polluting process with a high investment in CAPEX.

How are they Solving it?

At Alkemio, we propose to selectively recover all the metals present in batteries (such as lithium, copper, nickel and cobalt) through a simple and highly efficient Bio-Magnetic process. Our technology is disruptive and pioneering, utilizing modified affinity molecules to selectively recover each metal individually. This innovative approach results in a significant reduction in capital expenditures (CAPEX), providing a competitive advantage in resource allocation. Moreover, our process operates at lower temperatures and utilizes reusable materials, thereby reducing operating expenses. Our commitment to sustainability is evident through our 100% organic bioleaching method, eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals and preventing water pollution. The final product obtained is "battery grade" metals, allowing us to bypass the refining stage in the value chain, ultimately increasing revenue per ton.

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APEXzymes

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