American Resources' Electrified Materials Commences Initial 2026 Shipments of End-of-Life Lithium-Ion Batteries, Advancing U.S. Circular Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Rhea-AI Summary

American Resources (NASDAQ: AREC) announced that its subsidiary Electrified Materials Corporation (EMCO) has commenced initial 2026 shipments of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries to its Noblesville, Indiana disposition site as of January 23, 2026.

EMCO is aggregating and preprocessing multiple lithium-ion chemistries, including LFP and nickel-/cobalt-bearing systems, and supplying conditioned materials to downstream partner ReElement Technologies for refining into ultra-high-purity, manufacturing-grade products to support a domestic circular critical minerals supply chain.

Positive

• Commenced initial 2026 shipments of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries at Noblesville, Indiana (Jan 23, 2026)
• Conditioned battery materials supplied to ReElement for conversion to ultra-high-purity, manufacturing-grade products
• Integrated EMCO–ReElement platform enables a closed-loop domestic recycling-to-refining supply chain

Negative

• None.

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.37 Vol: Pre-news volume of 7,367,...

normal vol

$4.37 Last Close

Volume Pre-news volume of 7,367,252 shares is elevated vs. 4,914,042 20-day average (relative volume 1.5x). normal

Technical Shares at $4.19 were trading above the 200-day MA of $2.10, yet about 41.07% below the $7.11 52-week high and far above the $0.38 low.

Peers on Argus

AREC was down 3.68% pre-news while peers were mixed: METC up 8.28%, METCB up 3.3...

1 Up

AREC was down 3.68% pre-news while peers were mixed: METC up 8.28%, METCB up 3.39%, SXC up 0.74%, AMR down 1.49%, HCC down 2.64%. The mix of gains and losses suggests a stock-specific move rather than a unified sector trend.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 21	Blockchain token launch	Positive	+24.3%	Utility token for critical minerals traceability using ReElement refined output.
Jan 20	Refining breakthrough	Positive	-2.0%	ReElement develops protocols for >99.9% pure samarium for SmCo magnets.
Jan 06	Conference schedule	Neutral	-0.6%	AREC and ReElement outline January 2026 conferences and industry events.
Jan 05	Equity facility	Positive	+19.5%	$200M strategic equity facility to expand ReElement refining capacity.
Dec 10	Patent expansion	Positive	-8.2%	Five new patent applications for high-purity critical and rare earth refining.

Pattern Detected

Recent critical-mineral and ReElement-related announcements often produced sharp but inconsistent reactions, with some positive technology and financing updates followed by strong gains while other constructive news saw flat or negative next-day moves.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, AREC’s news flow has centered on ReElement and critical-mineral initiatives. On Jan 5, 2026, a $200 million equity facility to expand refining capacity preceded a 19.49% gain. The Jan 21, 2026 critical-minerals token announcement saw a 24.29% jump. However, other positive items, like >99.9% samarium purity and new IP filings, were followed by modest declines. Today’s EMCO battery-aggregation update fits the same theme of building an integrated, circular critical-minerals platform.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores AREC’s strategy of building a circular, U.S.-focused critical-minerals...

Analysis

This announcement underscores AREC’s strategy of building a circular, U.S.-focused critical-minerals chain by scaling EMCO’s aggregation and preprocessing of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. It complements recent ReElement milestones, including a $200 million equity facility and advanced refining capabilities. At the same time, regulatory filings highlight minimal recent revenue, sizable liabilities, and going-concern language, so investors may watch execution at Noblesville and downstream refining throughput as key proof points for this integrated model.

Key Terms

lithium-ion batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LFP), rare earth elements, critical battery elements, +1 more

5 terms

lithium-ion batteries technical

"has commenced receiving initial 2026 shipments of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries"

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, high-energy storage cells that use lithium ions moving between electrodes to store and release electricity, like a refillable fuel tank for electronic devices and electric vehicles. Investors care because they power a wide range of products from phones to cars and grid systems, so improvements, costs, supply chain constraints, or safety issues can directly affect manufacturers’ profits, product demand, and capital expenditure plans.

lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technical

"including lithium iron phosphate (LFP), as well as nickel- and cobalt-bearing systems"

A lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is a common type of rechargeable lithium-ion battery that uses iron and phosphate in its internal chemistry, prized for being stable, safe and long-lived. For investors, LFP matters because it trades higher safety and longer life for lower energy density—think of it as a sturdy, long-lasting suitcase that holds less per pound—so it affects product cost, vehicle range and total lifecycle value.

rare earth elements technical

"to help ensure a secure domestic supply of copper, aluminum, steel, rare earth elements, and battery materials"

Rare earth elements are a set of 17 chemical metals used to make powerful magnets, batteries, catalysts and many tiny components inside electronics, renewable energy equipment and defense systems. They matter to investors because they are essential inputs for fast‑growing industries, and limited or concentrated supply can drive prices, create production bottlenecks or shift competitive advantage — like a factory running short of a specialized ingredient that halts output and affects profits.

critical battery elements technical

"refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements"

Materials that are essential inputs for making rechargeable batteries—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and similar metals and minerals—because their physical and chemical properties determine a battery's performance and cost. For investors, these materials matter like fuel for an engine: their supply, price, regulatory status and sourcing risks can affect manufacturers' costs, production timelines and the value of companies across the electric vehicle, renewable storage and electronics supply chains.

closed-loop technical

"enabling a real-time, closed-loop, full life-cycle solution for critical battery materials"

A closed-loop system automatically measures its own output and feeds that information back to adjust inputs, operating without the need for constant human intervention — like a thermostat that senses room temperature and turns the heater on or off to keep a set point. Investors pay attention because closed-loop products often deliver more consistent performance, lower operational costs, and stronger regulatory or competitive advantages, which can improve revenue prospects, margins and risk profiles for companies that make or use them.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

EMCO expands battery aggregation and conditioning activities to support domestic refining and mineral independence

FISHERS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / January 23, 2026 / American Resources Corporation ("American Resources" or the "Company") today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Electrified Materials Corporation ("EMCO"), an innovative recycler of metals and minerals, has commenced receiving initial 2026 shipments of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries from multiple domestic and international sources at its Noblesville, Indiana disposition site.

EMCO continues to work closely with its supply-chain partners, including Blackion LLC, to source, aggregate, and responsibly manage lithium-ion batteries across a broad range of chemistries. These activities support the growing volume of batteries reaching end-of-life from electric vehicles, energy storage systems, consumer electronics, and manufacturing scrap streams.

Through these partnerships, EMCO is providing efficient, compliant disposition and preprocessing services for a variety of lithium-ion battery chemistries, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP), as well as nickel- and cobalt-bearing systems. EMCO's proprietary preprocessing and conditioning capabilities are designed to recover and prepare high-value battery elements - such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel-for downstream refinement.

Conditioned battery materials produced by EMCO are supplied to its downstream refining partner, ReElement Technologies Corporation, enabling a real-time, closed-loop, full life-cycle solution for critical battery materials. ReElement's multi-mineral, multi-feedstock refining platform converts these conditioned inputs into ultra-high-purity, manufacturing-grade products suitable for reuse across domestic and allied-nation supply chains.Together, EMCO and ReElement form an integrated recycling-to-refining platform that supports U.S. economic competitiveness, national security objectives, and long-term mineral independence. By enabling domestic processing of end-of-life batteries, magnets and manufacturing scrap, the platform reduces reliance on foreign-controlled refining capacity while improving transparency, sustainability, and resilience across the battery materials value chain.As battery volumes continue to grow globally, EMCO expects to expand its aggregation footprint, partnerships, and throughput throughout 2026, reinforcing its role as a critical upstream enabler of economically viable, U.S.-based critical mineral refining.

About Electrified Materials Corporation

Electrified Materials Corporation ("EMCO") is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC). EMCO is an innovative recycler of metals and minerals serving advanced technology, commercial, and defense markets. The company specializes in preprocessing end-of-life magnets, batteries, and ferrous metals to help ensure a secure domestic supply of copper, aluminum, steel, rare earth elements, and battery materials. Through its partnership with ReElement Technologies Corporation, EMCO delivers a fully integrated solution that supports a resilient U.S. supply chain.

About ReElement Technologies Corporation

ReElement Technologies Corporation, a portfolio company of American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC), is a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements. Its multi-mineral, multi-feedstock platform technology focuses on the refining of recycled material from rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries, concentrated ores and brines, as well as coal-based waste streams and byproducts to create a cost effective and environmentally-safe, circular supply chain. ReElement has developed its innovative and scalable "Powered by ReElement" process which collaboratively utilizes its exclusively licensed intellectual property within its partners' material processing flow sheets to more efficiently support the global supply chain's growing demand for magnet and battery-grade products. For more information visit reelementtech.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: AREC)

American Resources Corporation is a leader in the critical mineral supply chain, developing innovative solutions both upstream and downstream of the refining process. The company and its affiliates focus on the extraction and processing of metallurgical carbon and iron ore, essential ingredients in steelmaking, as well as critical and rare earth minerals for the electrification market and recycled metals.

Leveraging its affiliation and former parent status of ReElement Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance refining capacity for rare earth and critical battery elements, American Resources is investing in and developing efficient upstream and downstream critical mineral operations. These operations include mining interests in conventional and unconventional sources, recycling, and manufacturing.

American Resources has established a nimble, low-cost business model centered on growth, which provides a significant opportunity to scale its portfolio of assets to meet the growing global infrastructure and electrification markets while also continuing to acquire operations and significantly reduce their legacy industry risks. Its streamlined and efficient operations are able to maximize margins while reducing costs. For more information visit americanresourcescorp.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond American Resources Corporation's control. The words "believes", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", "continue", "seeks", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intends", "estimates", or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

Investor Contact:

JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
(908) 824 - 0775
arec@jtcir.com

Media Inquiries:

Marjorie Weisskohl
703-587-1532
mweisskohl@allseasonspr.com

Company Contact:

Mark LaVerghetta
317-855-9926 ext. 0
investor@americanresourcescorp.com

SOURCE: American Resources Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did AREC announce about battery shipments on January 23, 2026?

AREC said subsidiary EMCO commenced initial 2026 shipments of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries to its Noblesville, Indiana disposition site.

Which lithium-ion chemistries is EMCO processing under AREC (AREC)?

EMCO is preprocessing a range of chemistries including LFP and nickel- and cobalt-bearing lithium-ion battery systems.

How does EMCO work with ReElement under AREC (AREC) to close the materials loop?

EMCO conditions battery inputs and supplies them to ReElement, which refines them into ultra-high-purity, manufacturing-grade products for reuse.

Where are EMCO's initial 2026 battery shipments being received for AREC (AREC)?

Initial shipments are being received at EMCO's Noblesville, Indiana disposition site.

Does the AREC announcement claim the program supports U.S. supply chain security?

Yes; the company said the integrated platform supports U.S. economic competitiveness, national security objectives, and long-term mineral independence.

Will EMCO expand battery aggregation and throughput in 2026 under AREC (AREC)?

EMCO expects to expand its aggregation footprint, partnerships, and throughput throughout 2026 to support domestic critical mineral refining.