Aqua Metals Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has announced the development of nickel carbonate as a new product, expanding its portfolio of battery metal compounds and showcasing the adaptability of its AquaRefining™ technology. This development follows their recent achievement in developing a recycling process for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

The company's innovative process enables the recovery and conversion of materials into high-purity nickel carbonate, which is in high demand globally for battery and metallurgical applications. The product can be further processed into pure nickel metal or converted into nickel oxide for the steel industry, allowing Aqua Metals to serve multiple industrial sectors.

This innovation aligns with Aqua Metals' strategy to scale the production of battery-grade lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese materials while advancing off-take discussions and project financing.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has successfully completed bench-scale testing for recycling lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials, marking a significant advancement in domestic battery recycling. The company's new process can be integrated into planned ARC facilities with a 25-30% incremental capital expense, without expanding the physical footprint.

The technology enables processing of both NMC and LFP batteries, potentially doubling total feedstock throughput to 15,000 tonnes annually (7,500 tonnes each of NMC and LFP) and lithium carbonate output to approximately 2,700 tonnes per year. This output would increase current U.S. lithium production by more than 50% annually.

This development positions Aqua Metals as a first mover in addressing the growing LFP recycling market, particularly significant as LFP batteries become increasingly dominant in electric vehicles and stationary storage applications despite their lower market value and current suppressed lithium prices.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) reported significant achievements in 2024 for its sustainable lithium battery recycling operations. The company's Li AquaRefining™ process demonstrated >99% recovery of lithium, cobalt, and nickel with 83% lower CO₂ emissions than hydrometallurgy. Key milestones include:

- Successful 24/7 endurance run of the Li AquaRefining™ pilot
- Production of >600 pounds of >99.5% pure lithium carbonate
- Completion of Phase One construction at Sierra ARC facility
- Signing of long-term supply agreement with 6K Energy

The company secured approximately $15 million in equity, a $2.2 million tax abatement from Nevada, and $1.5M interim bridge financing. The Sierra ARC facility is ready for equipment installation to process 7,000 tonnes of black mass feedstock annually, pending additional financing for CAPEX and G&A funding.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS), a sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling company, has scheduled its fourth quarter and full-year 2024 financial results announcement for March 31, 2025. The company will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET on the same day to discuss results and provide business updates.

Investors can access the live conference call through the company's website at ir.aquametals.com or by dialing 877-407-9708 (toll-free) or 201-689-8259 (international). A replay will be available post-event via phone using passcode 13751716 and through the company's investor relations website.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has achieved a significant milestone by producing the first cathode active material (CAM) made from 100% domestically sourced, recycled nickel in the United States. The company used its proprietary AquaRefining™ technology to recover high-purity nickel from spent lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap, which was then refined into battery-grade nickel nitrate.

The recycled nickel CAM, produced in partnership with a domestic CAM manufacturer, is currently under evaluation by a tier-one lithium battery manufacturer. Initial testing has shown the material meets industry-standard specifications. The process reduces the carbon footprint of CAM manufacturing by 87% compared to Chinese sourcing.

This achievement supports the development of a domestic battery supply chain, particularly significant as U.S. lithium battery production capacity is projected to reach 1.2TWh annually by 2030. The initiative aligns with Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) compliance requirements and aims to reduce dependence on foreign material sources.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has appointed Steve Henderson and Eric Gangloff to its Board of Directors to strengthen its position in sustainable battery recycling and critical minerals production. Henderson, former Executive VP at Leggett & Platt, brings over 40 years of automotive, specialty chemicals, and manufacturing experience, having previously led Dow Chemical's automotive division and worked with major companies like Tesla and Ford.

Gangloff, founder of Summit Alternative Investments and CEO of AmeriFirst Finance, contributes extensive expertise in capital markets and debt financing. These strategic appointments aim to support Aqua Metals' scaling of its AquaRefining™ technology, which provides a low-cost, environmentally sustainable solution for recycling lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The technology eliminates polluting smelting processes and improves economics through a closed-loop chemical recycling system.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has announced an accelerated strategy for its commercial-scale AquaRefining™ facility at the Tahoe-Reno industrial center. The company plans to more than double its initial production targets for battery grade lithium carbonate, while also producing Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) containing nickel and cobalt, along with copper and manganese.

The revised strategy aims to streamline market entry, optimize capital efficiency, and meet customer demands. The company has already demonstrated its capability to recover battery grade lithium and high-purity metals at its pilot facility. This new approach is expected to accelerate commercialization, reduce capital requirements, and position Aqua Metals as a key supplier of domestic, low-carbon, battery-grade materials.

The optimized plan is projected to achieve a ~3 year payback at current metals prices, with lower capital and operational intensity than the previous design. The company maintains its long-term vision while adapting to market conditions, with plans for modular expansion and continued engagement with financial backers, feedstock suppliers, and off-take partners.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) has achieved significant operational milestones at its pilot facility, demonstrating the effectiveness of its Li AquaRefining™ process. The company reported over 99% recovery rates for lithium, cobalt, and nickel from black mass using recycled solvent, produced over 600 lbs of battery-grade lithium carbonate in December, and achieved nickel purity of 96.5%+ and cobalt purity of 99%+.

The facility operated continuously for three weeks with 90% uptime. To support ongoing operations and strategic initiatives, the company secured a $1.5 million bridge loan, with over 50% funded by management and board members. The company anticipates resolving long-term financing in Q1 2025 to support the buildout of the Sierra ARC commercial facility.

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) reported Q3 2024 results and operational updates, highlighting its progress in sustainable lithium battery recycling. The company's pilot facility has demonstrated 24-hour operational capacity, producing high-purity battery-grade lithium carbonate at over 99.5% purity. The Sierra AquaRefining Campus (ARC) is being prepared for commissioning, with plans for a two-phase buildout targeting 3,000 tonnes initial capacity, expandable to 10,000 tonnes of black mass processing annually. The company is currently evaluating term sheets for long-term financing and advancing commercial partnerships, with facility commissioning expected within 6-9 months after securing funding.