In a strategic move to accelerate the circular economy in electric vehicle (EV) battery production, LG Energy Solution and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have announced the formation of a new joint venture, Green Metals Battery Innovations, LLC, dedicated to EV battery recycling. The venture will establish a state-of-the-art pre-processing facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, set to begin operations in 2026.
The facility will focus on dismantling and shredding battery production scrap to extract black mass, a mixture rich in critical raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium. These materials will later be refined in a post-processing stage and reintroduced into the battery supply chain, enabling a battery-to-battery closed-loop system.
Aiming for 13,500 Tons of Scrap Processing Annually
In its initial phase, the plant will primarily handle scrap generated from LG Energy Solution’s EV battery production for Toyota Motor. Once operational, the plant aims to process up to 13,500 tons of battery scrap annually, equivalent to over 40,000 electric vehicle batteries, making it one of the most ambitious battery recycling projects in the region.
Driving Toward a Greener, Circular Battery Economy
The joint venture underscores a growing trend among global automakers and battery manufacturers to reduce dependence on mined resources and minimize carbon emissions. By recycling valuable metals from battery scrap, the partnership supports both material sustainability and environmental goals.
“This joint venture will not only help secure a stable supply of key battery materials but also enhance the competitiveness of our recycling business in North America,” said Chang Beom Kang, Chief Strategy Officer at LG Energy Solution. “We are fully committed to leading the recycling market through innovative and differentiated technologies.”
Strategic Collaboration with Long-Term Vision
Toyota Tsusho, a member of the Toyota Group, brings strong expertise in material recovery and supply chain management, while LG Energy Solution contributes its leadership in advanced battery technologies and manufacturing scale. Together, they plan to build a recycling ecosystem that enhances resource efficiency and strengthens regional resilience in the EV battery supply chain.
This initiative comes amid rising demand for electric vehicles and growing pressure to establish sustainable sourcing practices for key battery ingredients, particularly in North America, where EV adoption continues to surge.
