Ascend Elements lands multi‑year lithium carbonate offtake deal with Trafigura

Massachusetts-based battery materials recycler Ascend Elements has announced a multi‑year offtake agreement for lithium carbonate with global commodities giant Trafigura, totalling 15,000 metric tons to be delivered between 2027 and 2031.

The partnership pairs Ascend Elements’ Hydro‑to‑Cathode technology with Trafigura’s global marketing and logistics platform to accelerate a resilient battery materials supply chain, the company said.

Under the terms of the deal, Trafigura will provide global marketing and logistics capabilities, while Ascend Elements produces refined, low-carbon lithium carbonate produced from recycled lithium‑ion batteries and manufacturing scrap via its patented Hydro-to-Cathode process. 

The partnership supports Ascend Elements’ North American and European pipeline. Trafigura expands its portfolio of recycled materials it can place across its global customer base, supporting OEMs to meet circularity and compliance goals.

“Trafigura’s global platform paired with our Hydro-to-Cathode process turns circularity into supply security,” Ascend Elements CEO Linh Austin said in a news release.

“Together we’ll deliver low-carbon, recycled lithium carbonate that is traceable, responsibly-sourced, and available where customers build across the U.S. and Europe, reducing carbon, cost, and geopolitical risk while accelerating a resilient battery supply chain,” Austin said. 

“Ascend Elements’ patented process, which produces battery-grade lithium carbonate from domestic scrap, is advancing the development of domestic battery supply chains in the US and Europe – a priority to ensure security of supply,” Trafigura Global Head of Metals and Minerals Gonzalo De Olazaval added.