Princeton NuEnergy Breaks Ground on United States’ First Commercial-Scale Lithium-ion Battery Direct Recycling Plant
In a major stride towards revolutionizing the energy sector, Princeton NuEnergy (PNE) has inaugurated its flagship advanced recycling facility in Chester County, South Carolina. The plant is poised to boost the circular economy for batteries as it is the first commercial-scale lithium-ion battery direct recycling facility in the country.
Direct Recycling – A Disruptive Technology
When operational, the plant is projected to manufacture more than 10,000 tonnes per annum of battery-grade cathode material, equivalent to manufacturing over 100,000 EV batteries annually. PNE’s patented Low-Temperature, Plasma-Assisted Separation Process (LPAS™) will be employed in the recovery of more than 95 percent of lithium-ion materials available in all lithium-ion battery chemistries.
This technology not only offers a cleaner, speedier, and more cost-effective solution than standard recycling or virgin cathode production, but also significantly minimizes environmental waste.
The Circular Battery Economy
The launch of PNE’s facility marks a pivotal moment in America’s circular battery economy. The concept of a circular battery economy emphasizes on keeping materials within the country from their creation to the end-of-life recycling and remanufacturing. Consequently, all battery feedstock, which comprises various consumer and industrial goods ranging from mobile phones and computers to batteries from children’s toys, electric vehicles, and industrial energy storage facilities, will now be processed and recycled domestically.
This landmark endeavor follows PNE’s successful close of a Series A round at $30 million, and the company being listed as one of the “America’s Top Greentech Companies 2024” by Time Magazine.
About Princeton NuEnergy
Founded at Princeton University, Princeton NuEnergy (PNE) is leading the charge in lithium-ion battery direct recycling, thereby enhancing America’s circular battery economy.
Accredited as one of the “America’s Top Greentech Companies 2024” by Time Magazine, PNE’s patented LPAS™ technology significantly reduces both the cost, by up to 40 percent, and the environmental footprint, by up to 70 percent, of lithium-ion battery recycling compared to conventional methods.
With an impressive $55 million raised in grants, strategic, and venture funding, PNE’s pioneering approach continues to usher in a new era of effective and eco-friendly energy management.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
