WMC impacts every stage of the battery cycle

We are committed to accelerate the development of the nascent battery value chain by delivering comprehensive financing, processing and logistics solutions to meet our customers needs.

Battery cycle infographic

1

Raw Materials Mining

Primary raw materials (such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese ores) are mined. Efficient and clean extraction technologies, optimized refining decisions, and tracking standards are paramount to responsibly drive the energy transition

2

Processing

Raw ores are further refined, often using hydrometallurgical conversion processes, turning mined materials into battery chemicals. Metals convert into metal-sulphates, and lithium becomes lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate.

3

Precursor /Cathode Active Materials Production

In the precursor phase, battery chemicals (excluding lithium) are combined and united, creating a transition-metal hydroxide precursor material. To produce cathode active materials, lithium is added through a sintering process, creating a homogeneous composition cathode active material

4

Battery Cell & Pack Production

Cathode active materials, copper, aluminium foil, and electrolytes are combined with the anode, typically made of graphite or silicon-based products. Completed battery cells are assembled into battery packs for electric vehicles. Ongoing experimentation with cathode chemistries contributes to the evolving technology landscape

5

End Users

Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers purchase and install the battery packs in their dedicated assembly lines. Increasingly, batteries will feature a “battery passport,” giving consumers access to information on materials’ provenance, types and carbon footprint

6

Recycling (Black Mass)

As batteries degrade over time and energy capacity drops, it may enter a “second life” in applications like grid energy storage systems or be recycled into new batteries. The first recycling step involves discharging, dismantling and shredding, producing a “black mass”. This can be further processed to recover battery chemicals such as nickel, cobalt and lithium

Li-ion Battery Materials

Li

Lithium

Spodumene Concentrate, Lithium Sulfate, Lithium Carbonate, Lithium Hydroxide

Ni

Nickel

Nickel Metal, Nickel Sulfate and
Mixed Hydroxide Product

Co

Cobalt

Cobalt Metal, Cobalt Sulfate and
Cobalt Hydroxide

Cu

Copper

Copper Cathode

Mn

Manganese

Manganese Sulfate

BM

Black Mass

NCM, NCA, LFP and other chemistry-recycled battery materials

pCAM

Precursor Cathode Active Material

CAM

Cathode Active Material