Environment solution: New metals refinery for nickel and cobalt opens in Ohio

Original Report: apnews.com(full story)

A new metals refinery for nickel and cobalt has opened in Fairfield, Ohio, advancing efforts to source essential metals for addressing climate change. This facility extracts metals from scrap materials, such as old batteries, which helps avoid the environmental damage associated with traditional mining and reduces landfill waste. The metals produced will be used in new batteries and clean energy markets, supporting the transition from fossil fuels to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. Nth Cycle, the company behind the refinery, employs a modular design that allows integration with existing facilities and addresses the lack of domestic refining capacity for these materials. The development is seen as a significant step for the U.S. battery recycling industry, which has typically relied on overseas refining. With rising demand for critical minerals for batteries, particularly nickel and cobalt, this initiative is expected to strengthen domestic supply chains and contribute to sustainability goals. The Inflation Reduction Act provides incentives that support the expansion of the battery supply chain in the U.S.