Nth Cycle study verifies emissions levels of its technology

Nth Cycle, a metal refining technology company based in Boston, has recently completed a study that verifies the emissions level of its electro-extraction refining technology. The study compares Nth Cycle's technology with other incumbent technologies, such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, and their use cases in both recycling and mining processes used domestically and abroad.

Nth Cycle worked with an independent, global leading consultant firm, which Nth Cycle says needs to remain anonymous, to conduct the study. The company began commercial operations of its technology in September.

According to the independent study, Nth Cycle’s electro-extraction technology offers 92 percent lower emissions levels than traditional mining and refining processes, as well as 44 percent lower emissions levels than other critical minerals recycling technologies.

Nth Cycle’s product is a mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), which contains nickel and cobalt. According to Nth Cycle, 81 percent of today’s MHP supply is refined in Indonesia by Chinese companies through a carbon-intensive hydrometallurgy refining process called high-pressure acid leaching. With Nth Cycle’s verification through this study, the company says its customers can have increased confidence levels in a domestic supply of MHP that meets compliance standards for electric vehicle (EV) tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

“With the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act, there’s now a growing gap between supply and the extraordinary demand for critical minerals to build lithium-ion batteries,” says Megan O’Connor, co-founder and CEO of Nth Cycle. “We cannot rely on emissions-intensive refining processes from overseas vendors to meet our demands. This independent validation proves our ability to create a sustainable path to a sustainable planet right here at home.”