Ascend Batteries

Description

Ascend Elements is company focused on large-scale EV battery recycling, providing solutions that help recover valuable materials from used batteries and e-waste, which are repurposed into new battery components through their proprietary Hydro-to-Cathode® technology. This closed-loop system results in up to 90% lower GHG emissions compared to than traditional methods, by reducing batteries going to the landfill, reducing reliance on virgin materials, enabling a cleaner manufacturing process, and lowering the environmental impact of battery production-- essential for driving the broader energy transition.

What Makes it Regenerative?

• supports renewables
• supports ecosystem remediation
• enables circularity
• supports material sourcing

Business Model

Ascend Elements embraces a two-sided business model capitalizing on the circular economy within the electric vehicle battery industry. First, they generate revenue through recycling via direct contracts with battery manufacturers and potentially government incentives for processing used batteries and e-waste. Second, they leverage their technology to transform recycled materials into valuable components for new batteries. These components are then sold to battery manufacturers , EV OEMs, and cathode manufacturers, creating a closed-loop system and a recurring revenue stream.

Risks & Limitations

• Current north american focus may limit their overall environmental impact, or threaten capacity to scale
• Emergent technologies are still unproven and lack long-term data on efficiencies or side effects
• Subject to shifting regulations, also influences ability to scale in other regions
• Market timing: will ascend elements be able to support scale needed in the near-term transition while effectively reducing virgin material extraction?