Aqua Metals, Inc.

Aqua Metals, Inc. is a clean technology company focused on reinventing metals recycling through its patented AquaRefining™ technology. The company's mission is to provide a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically superior alternative to traditional recycling methods, aiming to close the loop on critical minerals. Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, Aqua Metals operates facilities within the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center.

Aqua Metals' core offering is its AquaRefining™ technology, a hydrometallurgical, water-based, and room-temperature process that utilizes electricity instead of high-temperature smelting or intensive chemicals. This process is designed to recover high-purity metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper from lithium-ion battery black mass and other feedstocks. The company also previously applied its technology to lead-acid batteries. Aqua Metals provides equipment, services, and licenses its AquaRefining technology to recyclers globally, serving market segments including clean energy technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), grid storage, and advanced manufacturing.

Led by President and CEO Steve Cotton and CFO Eric West, Aqua Metals has recently made significant strategic advancements. In February 2026, the company entered a term sheet to acquire Lion Energy, an energy storage company, and announced a strategic collaboration with American Battery Factory to advance domestic circular supply chains for battery materials. Earlier in January 2026, Aqua Metals executed a multi-year supply agreement with 6K Energy for battery-grade nickel metal and lithium carbonate. The company reported 2025 milestone advancements in March 2026 and is progressing with its commercial-scale lithium battery recycling plant, the Sierra ARC, in Nevada. Aqua Metals has demonstrated over 99% recovery rates for critical battery metals in its pilot facility and has successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate and nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) mixed hydroxide cake, positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable battery metals recycling.