Li-Cycle has selected Veolia Water Technologies as a partner in its Rochester, New York battery recycling plant.

The factory aims to recycle approximately 250,000 electric vehicle batteries per year by using Veolia's crystallisation technology.

The technology is the final stage of the battery recycling process, which leads to the extraction of nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate from lithium-ion batteries. The process also ensures that these materials are ready for use in new batteries.

With the HPD crystallisers, Li-Cycle will produce approximately 42,000 to 48,000 tonnes per year of nickel sulphate, and 6,500 to 7,500 tonnes per year of cobalt sulphate. Li-Cycle then plans to sell these materials to battery producers.

The Rochester facility will be operational in 2023.

"Veolia is looking forward to partnering with Li-Cycle to help recover critical materials from lithium-ion batteries, so they can be reintroduced back into the supply chain," Veolia Water Technologies chief executive Vincent Caillaud said.

"We have vast experience in the lithium production industry where we enjoy a technology leadership position, and will now apply our expertise in crystallisation to battery recycling."

Li-Cycle also has an Arizona facility, which aims to recycle 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries per year. It is slated to become operational in early 2022.