Ascend Elements’ facility to boost sustainable lithium production and reduce reliance on imported critical materials
The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) has recognized Ascend Elements’ Project Apex 2 as the Manufacturing Investment of the Year, highlighting one of the most strategically significant clean-technology projects currently underway in Europe. The award reflects both the scale of the investment and its importance in advancing a circular, low-carbon battery economy within the European Union.
At the center of this recognition is Ascend Elements’ plan to develop the EU’s first fully integrated battery materials refining center in Poland. The facility will focus on transforming spent lithium-ion batteries into new, battery-grade materials using the company’s proprietary Hydro-to-Cathode® technology. This approach represents a major shift in how critical raw materials are sourced, processed, and reused—moving away from traditional extraction methods toward a more sustainable, circular model.
The Polish government has demonstrated strong support for the initiative, committing approximately $320 million (around 1.22 billion PLN) to accelerate the construction of the facility. This funding ranks among the largest grants ever awarded by Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, underscoring the strategic importance of the project for both national and European industrial policy.
Project Apex 2 is designed not merely as a standalone manufacturing site, but as a proof point for a new paradigm in battery production. According to Ascend Elements’ leadership, the initiative aims to demonstrate that Europe can take a leading role in building a fully circular battery ecosystem—one that reduces environmental impact while enhancing supply chain resilience. By recovering valuable materials from used batteries and reintroducing them into production cycles, the project supports both sustainability goals and economic competitiveness.
The award was formally announced during the PAIH 2026 Investor’s Gala in Warsaw, an event that celebrates major foreign investments contributing to Poland’s economic development. The gala brings together government officials, international investors, and industry leaders, highlighting Poland’s growing role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and clean technology innovation.
Officials at PAIH emphasized that Project Apex 2 reflects a broader trend of global companies selecting Poland as a base for high-value, future-oriented investments. The country has increasingly positioned itself as a key player in Europe’s battery value chain, benefiting from its strategic location, skilled workforce, and supportive policy environment. By hosting advanced recycling and materials processing facilities, Poland is strengthening its role in securing the supply of critical components needed for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Technically, the Project Apex 2 facility will process “black mass,” a material derived from the recycling of lithium-ion batteries that contains valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Through hydrometallurgical processes, these materials will be refined into lithium carbonate and precursor cathode active material (pCAM). These outputs are essential inputs for the production of cathode active material (CAM), which forms the core of lithium-ion battery cells used in electric mobility and grid-scale energy storage.
The introduction of Hydro-to-Cathode® technology into Europe marks a significant advancement in battery recycling. Unlike conventional methods that often involve energy-intensive processes and material losses, this approach is designed to maximize recovery rates while minimizing environmental impact. By producing battery-grade materials directly from recycled inputs, the technology reduces reliance on newly mined resources and lowers the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing.
From a strategic perspective, the project aligns closely with the European Union’s broader policy framework, including the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This legislation aims to ensure that essential materials are sourced and processed within the EU, reducing dependency on external suppliers and enhancing supply chain security. Project Apex 2 directly supports these objectives by enabling the recovery and refinement of critical metals within Europe, rather than exporting them as waste or relying on imports from geopolitically sensitive regions.
The economic implications of the investment are equally significant. The construction and operation of the facility are expected to create a substantial number of high-skilled jobs, contributing to local and regional development. Moreover, the presence of such advanced manufacturing capabilities can attract additional investment, fostering the growth of a broader ecosystem around battery production and clean energy technologies.
Government representatives have highlighted the importance of combining advanced recycling with cutting-edge manufacturing in building a resilient industrial base. By integrating these capabilities, Project Apex 2 not only addresses environmental concerns but also strengthens Europe’s ability to compete in the rapidly expanding global market for battery materials.
Ascend Elements’ experience in the United States provides a strong foundation for the European expansion. In 2025, the company successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate at a U.S. facility with an annual capacity of 3,000 tonnes. Building on this success, the company plans to scale its global production capacity to more than 15,000 tonnes per year by 2027. The transfer of this proven technology to Poland is expected to accelerate the development of Europe’s domestic supply chain for battery materials.
This expansion comes at a critical time for the European battery industry. Demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage is increasing rapidly, driving the need for reliable and sustainable sources of battery components. However, Europe currently faces a gap in the supply of cathode precursor materials, which are essential for battery production. Project Apex 2 aims to address this gap by establishing a local, integrated source of these materials.
Beyond its immediate operational goals, the project also serves as a model for how circular economy principles can be applied at scale. By closing the loop on battery materials—recovering, refining, and reusing them within the same regional ecosystem—the initiative reduces waste, lowers emissions, and enhances resource efficiency. This approach is increasingly seen as essential for achieving long-term sustainability targets, including net-zero emissions.
The recognition from PAIH reinforces the broader significance of Project Apex 2 within the context of global industrial transformation. As countries and regions compete to lead in clean technology, investments that combine innovation, sustainability, and economic impact are becoming key differentiators. In this regard, Ascend Elements’ initiative stands out as a comprehensive effort to address multiple challenges simultaneously.
Looking ahead, the success of Project Apex 2 could have far-reaching implications for the future of battery manufacturing in Europe. If the model proves effective, it may encourage further investment in similar facilities, accelerating the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy. It could also strengthen Europe’s position in global supply chains, reducing vulnerability to external shocks and enhancing long-term competitiveness.
In conclusion, the designation of Project Apex 2 as Manufacturing Investment of the Year reflects its strategic importance at multiple levels—technological, economic, and environmental. By bringing advanced recycling and materials production capabilities to Poland, Ascend Elements is contributing to the development of a more sustainable and resilient battery ecosystem in Europe. At the same time, the project exemplifies how targeted investment and innovation can drive progress toward a cleaner and more secure energy future.
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