Nth Cycle and Glencore Finalized Battery Supply Deal
The $1 billion agreement will supply a new U.S. refinery with recycled battery materials.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Nth Cycle has entered a binding term sheet with Glencore to supply a planned battery materials refinery in the Southeastern United States. This $1 billion agreement aims to scale the recovery of nickel and lithium from recycled lithium-ion batteries.
Why it matters
This partnership supports the development of a large-scale U.S. refinery designed to reclaim critical metals for the electric vehicle supply chain. The project, known as Project SHIELD, represents a significant step toward localizing the production of battery-grade materials.
The supply agreement is valued at $1 billion and covers black mass supply along with the offtake of nickel- and lithium-bearing products. Glencore joins a growing list of government and commercial partners backing the Project SHIELD refinery.
The players
Nth Cycle
A metal processing technology firm specializing in recovering battery materials from recycled lithium-ion components.
Glencore
A global natural resources and mining company involved in the supply and trade of raw materials for the battery industry.
The details
Nth Cycle uses proprietary technology to recover critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. Under this new agreement, the company will process black mass into usable battery materials at its upcoming facility. The collaboration leverages Glencore's global supply chain to support the refinery's capacity for large-scale material production.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: The supply agreement was announced.
The Home Front
The push for a domestic battery supply chain is intended to stabilize the future cost of electric vehicles for American households. Project SHIELD aligns with broader industrial trends aimed at reducing reliance on overseas processing for critical EV battery components.
As battery recycling technology advances, you may see a more stable supply chain for electric vehicle components in the coming years. Keep an eye on local manufacturing announcements if you are considering an EV purchase, as these domestic facilities impact long-term repair and replacement costs.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights the industry transition toward domestic metal recovery for the battery market. Homeowners tracking electric vehicle market trends should look for updates on the final facility site selection for Project SHIELD.
Further reading
For more on the industry trends shaping your next car purchase, explore our Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Waste360.
Live Poll
Do you believe increasing domestic recycled battery material production strengthens national supply chain security?
