The technology will be able to trace the movement from the mine through first use and then to recycling of the metals, including cobalt, via lifestyle mapping. Officials said it will help with understanding value flow through the production process and life cycle, and it will also give American Manganese a roadmap for sourcing lithium ion batteries.

Now heading into pilot, the company said it and Circulor will be retaining additional industrial partners from the EV battery life-cycle circle, including car manufacturers.

"Blockchain technology has the potential to transform complex industrial supply chains both by assuring provenance and improving efficiency," Circulor CEO Doug Johnson-Poensgen said.

"This joint project will create the first blockchain solution designed specifically for the EV circular economy."