SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The proposed battery recycling plant in the Western Kentucky region has secured government funding. Massachusetts- headquartered Ascend Elements has reportedly secured $125 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as part of efforts to boost battery recycling.

The planned facility will use a revolutionary battery recycling method developed in collaboration with the Mexican business Orbia. Graphite will be recovered from discarded batteries and then processed into battery-grade graphite at an Orbia facility in Louisiana. The DOE hailed it as the first-ever process for recycling graphite from batteries.

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The latest round of funding has awarded more than $3 billion to as many as 25 battery-related projects across the country. Commenting on the funding, White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi noted that it will help in supporting development and implementation of market-relevant technologies.

As per earlier announcement, Ascend Elements, in collaboration with SK Ecoplant, revealed plans to develop a $65 million lithium-ion battery recycling plant capable of recovering around 24,000 metric tons of EV batteries annually. According to the firm, building on the plant is planned to be completed by January of next year.