U.S. Battery Recycling Progresses with PNE's Leading South Carolina Reclamation Center
Princeton NuEnergy's South Carolina Recycling Facility Opens, Boosting U.S. Battery Circular Economy
Princeton NuEnergy Inc. (PNE), a U.S. company based in Princeton, New Jersey, has officially opened its Advanced Black Mass (ABM) recycling facility in Chester, South Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility is the nation's first commercial-scale facility capable of producing battery-grade cathode active materials (CAM) from recycled battery feedstock [1][2][4].
The facility, which is fully commissioned and operational as of August 2025, processes 5,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of manufacturing scrap, achieving a recovery yield exceeding 97% [1][2][4]. The high-purity feedstock produced at the facility is ideal for downstream battery manufacturing. The facility can produce CAM for both NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) and LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistries [1].
Dr. Chao Yan, Co-Founder and CEO of PNE, stated that the facility's commissioning is a significant milestone, demonstrating the U.S.'s ability to lead in battery materials recovery and manufacturing. He also mentioned that the facility is a major advancement in the battery supply chain space [1].
The Chester facility is part of PNE's efforts to advance the US Battery Circular Economy. By regenerating critical battery minerals domestically, it reduces reliance on imported raw materials and supports sustainable resource management in the battery supply chain [1][2][4]. The operation complies with all federal and state environmental standards [1].
PNE plans to expand the Chester site's capacity to 15,000 tpa by 2026 and potentially scale up to 50,000 tpa in the longer term to meet growing demand [1][2]. Alongside this facility, PNE is developing a national network for closed-loop battery material recovery and downstream manufacturing. This includes a joint pilot recycling plant in Texas and a Materials Testing Center in Princeton, New Jersey for validation and quality assurance of battery materials [1][2][3].
The Materials Testing Center in Princeton provides a critical resource to accelerate United States battery manufacturing. It is the largest in the U.S. northeast and offers third-party validation and downstream application testing [1]. PNE also operates a joint pilot facility with a co-located partner in McKinney, Texas to advance direct recycling technologies and capabilities [1].
The Chester facility's operation positions the U.S. as a leader in the battery materials recycling sector. It brings the country a step closer to a more integrated and sustainable circular battery economy, securing domestic supply chains of critical minerals and reducing environmental impacts associated with battery material extraction and processing [1][2][4].
References: [1] The US Battery Circular Economy Advances with PNE's South Carolina Flagship Recycling Facility. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://princetonnuenergy.com/news/press-releases/the-us-battery-circular-economy-advances-with-pnes-south-carolina-flagship-recycling-facility [2] Princeton NuEnergy's South Carolina Facility Opens, Advancing U.S. Battery Recycling. (2025, August 30). Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/princeton-nuenergy-south-carolina-facility-opens-advancing-u-s-battery-recycling [3] PNE Expands U.S. Battery Recycling Network with Texas Pilot Plant and New Jersey Testing Center. (2025, August 30). Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pne-expands-us-battery-recycling-network-with-texas-pilot-plant-and-new-jersey-testing-center-301106604.html [4] PNE's South Carolina Facility Achieves 97% Recovery Yield from Manufacturing Scrap. (2025, August 30). Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://www.batteryindustryinsider.com/news/pnes-south-carolina-facility-achieves-97-recovery-yield-from-manufacturing-scrap/
The advancement of the US Battery Circular Economy is evident through Princeton NuEnergy's South Carolina facility, as it not only recycles battery feedstock but also produces battery-grade cathode active materials for both NCM and LFP chemistries. This facility's operation in the environmental-science domain is significant, as it contributes to sustainable resource management in the finance sector while reducing reliance on imported raw materials. Furthermore, technology advances at this facility, such as direct recycling, demonstrate the potential for industrial growth in the battery industry.
