Aqua Metals and MOBY Robotics Sign MOU Establishing Collaboration Framework for Sustainable Refining of Deep-Sea Critical Minerals

Rhea-AI Summary

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) and MOBY Robotics signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 3, 2025 to evaluate sustainable refining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules.

The MOU targets use of Aqua Metals’ low-temperature AquaRefining™ process to produce battery-grade nickel, cobalt, manganese and to assess recovery of rare earth elements. Aqua Metals plans bench-scale testing later in 2025 to adapt its process to nodule feedstock. The collaboration is exploratory and aims to expand a feedstock-agnostic domestic critical-minerals supply chain beyond lithium-ion recycling.

Insights

Strategic Metals & Process Integration Analyst

MOU signals strategic, exploratory expansion into deep-sea polymetallic nodules but remains preliminary and technically uncertain.

**Aqua Metals** and **MOBY Robotics** created a framework to test whether the AquaRefining™ low‑temperature process can produce battery‑grade nickel, cobalt, manganese and rare earths from polymetallic nodules. The announcement commits to bench‑scale testing later this year and a joint evaluation of technical and commercial feasibility, which moves the effort beyond discussion into measurable laboratory work.

The outcome hinges on feedstock chemistry, recovery yields, impurity rejection, and scale‑up costs; none of these metrics are disclosed here, so commercial success is uncertain. Environmental, regulatory, and logistical factors for deep‑sea nodule sourcing are not quantified in the release and could materially affect viability.

Watch for concrete early milestones such as bench‑scale recovery rates, reported battery‑grade purity for target metals, and any pilot‑scale plans within a 12–24 month horizon; those metrics will determine whether the collaboration meaningfully expands domestic critical‑minerals supply chains.

RENO, Nev., Nov. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua Metals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS), a pioneer in sustainable battery metals recycling and refining, today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MOBY Robotics Inc. to advance early leadership in sustainable refining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules. The collaborative framework intends to utilize Aqua Metals’ low-temperature AquaRefining™ process to refine nodules containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare earths to advance domestic solutions for critical mineral independence.

Under the MOU, Aqua Metals and MOBY Robotics will collaborate to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of producing battery-grade materials from polymetallic deep-sea nodules. Aqua Metals plans to begin bench-scale testing later this year to adapt its process for this new feedstock.

The companies will also evaluate the potential to extract and refine rare earth elements (REEs) from the nodules. Integrating REE recovery into the AquaRefining™ platform would expand Aqua Metals’ role in building the domestic supply chain for batteries, magnets, and advanced manufacturing while reducing reliance on overseas processing.

This marks Aqua Metals’ second MOU focused on deep-sea minerals, furthering the company’s efforts to extend its proprietary AquaRefining™ process beyond lithium-ion battery recycling to new domestic sources of critical minerals.

“Deep-sea nodules represent a significant new opportunity to strengthen the U.S. supply of critical minerals,” said Steve Cotton, President & CEO of Aqua Metals. “The collaboration underscores Aqua Metals’ leadership in sustainable refining and its role in building a resilient, independent U.S. supply chain for critical minerals.”

Polymetallic nodules are rock-like deposits found on the ocean floor that contain essential metals used in electric vehicles, grid-scale batteries, data centers, and clean-energy technologies. The collaboration reinforces Aqua Metals’ vision of a feedstock-agnostic refining platform that supports a resilient and scalable U.S. critical-minerals supply chain. As international demand for nickel, cobalt, and manganese surges, Aqua Metals is pioneering clean, domestic refining solutions that scale efficiently and compete globally.

“Aqua Metals has demonstrated a proven ability to cost-effectively extract battery-grade metals with near-zero waste,” said Alex Petersen, CEO and Co-Founder of MOBY Robotics. “We’re excited to collaborate on adapting their process to the unique challenges and opportunities of deep-sea nodules using our environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and autonomous robotic technologies.”

Aqua Metals views deep-sea nodules as an additional feedstock for its AquaRefining™ process, complementing lithium-ion recycling and supporting a more resilient U.S. critical-minerals supply chain.

Together, these initiatives are expected to strengthen Aqua Metals’ position in the growing multi-billion-dollar critical minerals market. These milestones reinforce Aqua Metals’ position as a first mover in sustainable refining and battery metals recycling and serve as a catalyst for long-term shareholder value.

About Aqua Metals

Aqua Metals (NASDAQ: AQMS) is revolutionizing metals recycling with its proprietary AquaRefining™ technology, delivering high-purity, low-carbon battery materials to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy storage. The Company’s innovation-driven approach reduces emissions, eliminates waste streams, and supports the establishment of a circular supply chain for critical minerals essential to electric vehicles and grid storage. For more information, visit www.aquametals.com

About MOBY Robotics:

MOBY Robotics develops autonomous deep-sea robots for sustainable and scalable critical mineral recovery. Leveraging advanced computer vision and swarm robotics, MOBY’s systems identify and collect polymetallic nodules with precision, minimizing seafloor disturbance and actively avoiding marine life.

To learn more or get in touch, contact hello@mobyrobotics.com

Aqua Metals Social Media

Aqua Metals has used, and intends to continue using, its investor relations website (https://ir.aquametals.com), in addition to its X, Threads, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts at https://x.com/AquaMetalsInc (@AquaMetalsInc), https://www.threads.net/@aquametalsinc (@aquametalsinc), https://www.linkedin.com/company/aqua-metals-limited and https://www.youtube.com/@AquaMetals respectively, as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Aqua Metals, Inc. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that contain words such as "expects," "contemplates," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "potential," and variations of such words or similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, or that do not relate to historical matters. Those forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, (1) the risk that we may not be able to successfully negotiate and conclude a definitive commercial agreement with MOBY Robotics, (2) even if we are to conclude a definitive commercial agreement with MOBY Robotics, the risk that we may not be able to realize the expected benefits of such arrangement; (3) the risk that we may not be able to acquire the funding necessary to maintain our current level of operations; and (4) those risks disclosed in the section "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2025. Aqua Metals cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, except as required by law.

Contact Information

Investor Relations

Rob Fink

FNK IR

646-809-4048

aqms@fnkir.com

Media

David Regan

Aqua Metals

415-336-3553

david.regan@aquametals.com

FAQ

What did Aqua Metals (AQMS) announce on November 3, 2025 about deep-sea minerals?

Aqua Metals announced an MOU with MOBY Robotics to evaluate using AquaRefining™ to refine polymetallic nodules into battery-grade metals and assess rare earth recovery.

When will Aqua Metals (AQMS) begin bench-scale testing for deep-sea nodules?

Aqua Metals plans to begin bench-scale testing later in 2025 to adapt AquaRefining™ for nodule feedstock.

Which metals does the Aqua Metals (AQMS) and MOBY Robotics collaboration target from polymetallic nodules?

The collaboration targets nickel, cobalt, manganese and potential recovery of rare earth elements for battery and magnet supply chains.

Does the November 3, 2025 MOU create a binding commercial agreement for Aqua Metals (AQMS)?

No; the announcement describes a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate technical and commercial feasibility, not a binding sale or contract.

How could the Aqua Metals (AQMS) and MOBY Robotics MOU affect U.S. critical minerals supply?

The companies say the work aims to advance a domestic, feedstock-agnostic refining platform to reduce reliance on overseas processing.

What role will MOBY Robotics play in the AQMS collaboration announced November 3, 2025?

MOBY Robotics will collaborate on adapting AquaRefining™ using its autonomous robotic technologies and evaluate technical feasibility for deep-sea nodules.