Christopher Hailstone is a pivotal figure at the intersection of energy management and the burgeoning circular economy. As a leading utilities expert with deep insights into renewable energy and grid reliability, he has been instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of the sustainable materials supply chain. His work is helping to redefine how we source critical battery materials, moving away from traditional mining and toward a more secure and environmentally sound future.
In our conversation, we’ll explore Ascend Elements’ recent series of groundbreaking achievements that are accelerating the battery recycling industry. We’ll delve into the strategic expansion into Europe, the revolutionary efficiency of their patented recycling process, and how they translated technological breakthroughs into massive commercial contracts with key global players. The discussion will also touch on the broader implications of establishing a fully integrated, domestic supply chain for the U.S. and E.U.
In May, you secured a $340 million grant from the Polish government. Could you walk us through the key milestones in securing that commitment and detail the specific steps you’re taking to establish your pCAM and lithium processing capacity in Europe?
Securing that $340 million commitment from the Polish government was a monumental step for our European ambitions. It wasn’t an overnight success; it was the culmination of demonstrating that our technology is not just a concept but a commercially viable solution for Europe’s battery material needs. The key was proving our ability to create a low-carbon, regional supply chain. Now, our focus is on execution. We are moving toward the financial close, which we expect in the first or second quarter of 2026. Once that’s complete, it’s all systems go for scaling up our new facility in Poland, which will be critical for supplying our advanced pCAM and lithium products directly to the European market.
Your patented Hydro-to-Cathode process is said to reduce CO2e by up to 90% compared to mining. Can you explain, in simple terms, how this process works and provide some specific metrics that demonstrate its cost and carbon footprint advantages at a commercial scale?
Absolutely. The beauty of our Hydro-to-Cathode process is its elegant simplicity compared to the traditional, linear supply chain. Instead of a multi-stage, energy-intensive process that starts with digging ore out of the ground, we take recycled battery feedstock and, in a highly efficient process, upgrade it straight into high-value components like lithium carbonate and pCAM. We’ve effectively cut out many of the costly and dirty intermediate steps. The most powerful metric is that staggering 90 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional mining-based approaches. This isn’t just an environmental win; it translates directly to cost savings and creates a product that is fundamentally more sustainable and economical at a massive commercial scale.
You became the first commercial-scale producer of recycled lithium carbonate in the U.S. this year. How did achieving this milestone in Covington, Georgia, directly lead to securing the 15,000-metric-ton take-or-pay agreement with a major player like Trafigura?
The Covington facility was our proof point to the world. In September, when we started producing recycled lithium carbonate at a commercial scale there, we moved from promises to products. It showed the market that our technology works reliably and can deliver high-quality materials consistently. This tangible output was the linchpin for the Trafigura deal. A major commodities trader like them doesn’t sign a 15,000-metric-ton take-or-pay agreement based on hypotheticals. They saw our Covington plant in action and gained the confidence that we could meet our ambitious production targets, which will exceed 15,000 tons annually by 2027.
The nearly $1 billion supply contract with a global automaker is a huge win. Beyond the dollar value, what specific capabilities and production assurances did you have to demonstrate to land this deal, and what does it signal about the auto industry’s confidence in recycled materials?
That contract, valued at nearly a billion dollars, was about much more than just price. We had to demonstrate absolute reliability and transparency. The automaker needed assurance that we could deliver a consistent supply of high-quality, battery-grade materials without the geopolitical risks associated with imported resources. We showed them our fully operational, vertically integrated system in the U.S. and proved our ability to meet their stringent specifications with a significantly lower carbon footprint. This deal is a massive signal from the auto industry; it shows they are no longer just exploring recycled materials—they are actively building their future supply chains around them for reasons of sustainability, cost, and regional security.
You’re described as the only Western firm with full, commercial-scale vertical integration from recycling to pCAM. Could you detail the key stages of this integrated process and share an anecdote about the challenges you overcame to achieve this where other firms have not?
Our integration is our core strength. It begins with taking in recycled battery feedstock and ends with finished, high-value battery ingredients like cathode precursor (pCAM) and battery-grade lithium carbonate, ready for our customers. The key difference is that we manage this entire chain at a commercial scale today, not in a lab or a pilot plant. The biggest challenge wasn’t just perfecting the science; it was proving the economics. Many firms can recycle materials in small batches, but the real hurdle is making it profitable and scalable. I remember the intense period leading up to our Covington facility going live; the world was watching to see if circularity could truly work at an industrial level. Proving that it does—that you can create a superior product, more sustainably, and more economically—was the breakthrough that has set us apart.
What is your forecast for the circular battery economy over the next five years, particularly regarding the balance between recycled materials and newly mined resources in U.S. and E.U. supply chains?
My forecast is that the circular battery economy is not just coming; it’s accelerating at a pace many people still underestimate. Over the next five years, we are going to see a fundamental shift. The conversation is rapidly moving from “Is this possible?” to “How quickly can we scale?” In the U.S. and E.U., the push for energy independence and regional security will make recycled materials a strategic imperative, not just an environmental choice. We’ve already proven that circularity isn’t just possible; it is inevitable, and it is profitable. The future truly belongs to those who choose to loop more, not mine more, and we are setting the standard for how this resilient, low-carbon battery economy will be built.
