Nth Cycle and Glencore Signed $1 Billion Battery Deal
The ten-year partnership secures critical material supply chains to support domestic electric vehicle battery production.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Nth Cycle and Glencore have entered a binding 10-year offtake agreement valued at over $1 billion to supply battery-grade materials. This deal secures 100% of the feedstock and offtake requirements for the upcoming project SHIELD facility in South Carolina.
Why it matters
This partnership stabilizes the supply of essential battery metals like nickel and cobalt while complying with federal black mass export controls. It represents a significant step in scaling domestic production capacity for electric vehicle batteries.
The deal covers a 10-year duration and guarantees 100% of feedstock needs for project SHIELD. Glencore will supply all black mass from its US-based shredding assets.
The players
Nth Cycle
A metal processing technology company focused on recovering critical materials for the electric vehicle industry through electrochemical refinement.
Glencore
A global natural resources and mining entity involved in the production, supply, and recycling of critical minerals used in battery manufacturing.
Department of Energy
The federal agency tasked with funding and overseeing energy innovation, including the $100 million grant supporting Nth Cycle.
The details
Glencore will process and supply black mass—the shredded remains of recycled batteries—from its existing US operations to Nth Cycle. Nth Cycle will then utilize its proprietary OYSTER system, an electrochemical process, to extract high-purity nickel and cobalt from this material. The collaboration ensures that recovered resources are funneled back into the domestic supply chain rather than being exported.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The offtake agreement was officially announced.
End of 2026: Deadline for the companies to execute definitive agreements.
The Home Front
This deal marks a major shift in how the industry handles battery waste, moving away from international export reliance toward localized circular manufacturing. It follows recent federal efforts to secure the domestic supply chain for critical electric vehicle components.
While this agreement impacts high-level manufacturing, it underscores the growing importance of battery recycling programs for household electronics and vehicles. Owners of electric vehicles should check their manufacturer documentation to understand long-term battery service and end-of-life recycling options.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights a critical move toward establishing a self-sufficient domestic battery supply chain. Keep an eye on local initiatives for recycling old lithium-ion household electronics, which serve as the foundation for the black mass recovered in these industrial processes.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in battery sustainability in our Electric Vehicles section.
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Do you support government funding to accelerate domestic processing of critical battery materials?
