Ace Green Recycling Advances Zero-Emission Battery Processing with Global Expansion

Ace Green Recycling, a U.S.-based green recycling technology company, is building a global platform for sustainable battery recycling through proprietary zero-emission processes that address both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. The company's modular, scalable design enables localized circular supply chains, allowing countries to retain valuable resources domestically instead of exporting waste and reimporting refined materials. This approach strengthens supply-chain security while significantly cutting emissions from traditional recycling methods.

The company operates two core technology platforms: GREENLEAD® for lead-acid battery recycling and LithiumFirst for lithium-ion battery processing. GREENLEAD® replaces legacy smelting with a fully electric hydrometallurgical approach that recovers up to 99% of battery-grade lead with more than 99.98% purity. The process operates at room temperature without smelting, dramatically reducing permitting hurdles and health risks associated with conventional lead recycling. LithiumFirst can recover up to 80% of lithium at greater than 99% purity from lithium iron phosphate batteries, positioning the company advantageously as LFP batteries are projected to become the dominant chemistry by 2030.

A key innovation in Ace's technology suite is the Grid Metallics Processing System, which replaces smelting for a significant portion of lead-acid battery components. GMPS separates and individually processes lead paste and grids using proprietary mechanical and chemical methods, enabling clean, efficient separation without the toxic emissions of traditional furnace-based approaches. The recovered metallics are then melted to form battery-grade lead alloy ingots, integrating seamlessly with the GREENLEAD® system to create a fully zero-emission solution.

The company is advancing its North American presence with a flagship recycling facility in Texas scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The facility will process both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, serving as a model for domestic expansion while supporting the country's clean energy and electric vehicle goals. Strategic partnerships form a cornerstone of Ace's business model, including a recent collaboration with Spiro, Africa's largest electric vehicle company, which selected Ace as its exclusive global recycling partner. The partnership will handle end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production waste while jointly developing recycling facilities across Africa and other key markets.

In the United States, Ace has secured a long-term offtake agreement with Glencore to support materials recovered from Texas operations, ensuring reliable downstream processing and market access for recycled metals. Feedstock for the Texas facility will primarily come from domestic suppliers, creating a localized and fully traceable supply chain. The company's platform monetizes battery recycling through a combination of owned facilities, joint ventures, licensing, and service contracts, providing flexibility for rapid market entry and expansion.

Internationally, Ace is deploying its licensing model across multiple markets including Armenia, Thailand, and India, helping partners implement clean, modular recycling solutions tailored to local conditions. The company is simultaneously scaling up lithium-ion recycling operations in India and expanding its non-smelting lead recycling footprint worldwide. This global expansion demonstrates that industrial recycling can achieve both profitability and sustainability without relying on furnaces or toxic emissions, closing the loop on critical minerals while powering the clean-energy transition responsibly.