Alus and BWM Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize US Battery Recycling

Blue Whale Materials (BWM)

Alus, a leading South Korean aluminum producer, has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Blue Whale Materials (BWM), a prominent US-based battery recycler, to tap into the American battery recycling market. This collaboration centers around BWM's facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, marking a significant step towards enhancing sustainable battery production in the United States.

Expanding Capacity and Utilizing Recycled Materials

Through this partnership, BWM plans to boost its production of black mass at the Bartlesville site. Black mass, a key byproduct of battery recycling involving the disassembly and shredding of batteries, contains valuable metals including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Alus will utilize the recycled aluminum sourced from BWM to manufacture battery packs, promoting a circular economy in the metals industry.

Strategic Developments and Future Plans

The Bartlesville facility is poised to handle up to 50,000 metric tonnes per year of battery feedstock once fully operational. With a substantial investment of $55 million from the US Department of Energy received in September, BWM is well-equipped for a significant expansion. The plant is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2025, setting a new standard in battery recycling efficiency and sustainability.

Blue Whale Materials and Call2Recycle Join Forces to Strengthen U.S. Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling

Blue Whale Materials (BWM)

Strategic partnership ensures consistent battery feedstock for BWM’s 50,000t facility in Oklahoma

BWM and Call2Recycle Partner to Secure Sustainable Battery Feedstock

Blue Whale Materials (BWM), a prominent U.S. battery recycler, has entered a partnership with Call2Recycle to ensure steady access to end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Through this agreement, BWM will process batteries collected across the country via Call2Recycle’s well-established collection network. This collaboration is expected to support domestic supply chain resilience for critical battery materials.

Robert Kang, CEO and co-founder of BWM, emphasized the strategic value of partnering with North America’s leading battery collection organization. He stated that reliable feedstock access is vital to advancing the company’s long-term goal of building a secure and sustainable battery supply ecosystem.

New Facility in Oklahoma to Process 50,000t Annually by Mid-2025

BWM is set to launch its large-scale battery recycling facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in the second quarter of 2025. Once fully operational, the facility will be capable of processing up to 50,000 metric tonnes of spent lithium-ion batteries per year. The location is strategically positioned to serve a growing network of battery sources, reinforcing domestic battery recycling infrastructure at a time when demand for critical minerals continues to rise.

This move supports broader efforts to reduce dependence on imported battery materials and aligns with the U.S. government’s clean energy and sustainability targets. Furthermore, it underscores the vital role of collaboration between recyclers and collectors in closing the battery lifecycle loop.