In recognition of National Battery Day on 18 February, Cirba Solutions, a national leader in battery recycling and critical minerals recovery, is celebrating 35 years of advancing responsible, safe and scalable battery recycling in North America.
Founded in 1991, the company has helped shape the modern battery recycling industry in North America – pioneering commercial-scale lithium-ion processing and building one of the most comprehensive operational footprints coast to coast.
As global battery demand accelerates, the company continues to strengthen domestic supply chains by focusing on the recovery and refinement of critical minerals required to support that growth.
Cirba Solution’s milestones cement its position in the global battery recycling industry
Over its 35-year history, Cirba Solutions has achieved milestones that define its leadership in the industry:
- First company in the US to process lithium-ion at a commercial scale.
- One of the only companies in the world to process lithium metal, used in the next generation of battery technology.
- The only battery recycler in the US with an internal logistics fleet, ensuring end-to-end control, safety and compliance.
The company safely handles all battery chemistries and formats – including lithium-ion, lithium primary, alkaline, lead, and nickel-based batteries – serving automotive OEMs, retailers, gigafactories, data centres, municipalities and commercial enterprises.
The role of National Battery Day in highlighting industry evolution
“National Battery Day is an opportunity to recognise the crucial role batteries play in our daily lives, but also to reflect on how much this industry has evolved over the past 35 years,” said David Klanecky, CEO and President of Cirba Solutions.
“As one of the most experienced battery recyclers in the industry and with the largest operational footprint across North America, we have innovated alongside the shifting of battery chemistries and formats and rapidly advancing technologies.”
Empowering a resilient battery supply chain
Klanecky continued: “Through this, our mission has remained constant: to empower an electric future and accelerate human progress. We are building a resilient domestic supply chain for critical minerals — one that strengthens national security, supports advanced manufacturing and enables the energy transition utilising these critical minerals.”
Looking ahead, the company is strategically expanding its capabilities to meet the surging demand for battery-grade materials. Cirba Solutions is positioned to execute large-scale expansions that will produce battery-grade metal sulfates and lithium carbonate to support domestic battery manufacturing.
To date, the company has:
- Increased processing capacity of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap by 600% over the past few years.
- Invested more than $400 million into expanding capacity.
- Created new generational clean energy jobs across the country.
Safer battery recycling solutions
On National Battery Day and every day, Cirba Solutions remains committed to increasing consumer awareness and access to safe battery recycling solutions. Key initiatives include:
- WeRecycle Battery Map: An online tool connecting consumers to nearly 750 locations across the United States, including retailers, municipalities and Cirba Solutions locations to recycle batteries.
- WeRecycle Battery Boxes: This turnkey solution enables users to recycle their end-of-life batteries safely and easily. Offered in different sizes, it comes with all necessary elements to fit DOT guidelines for handling, packaging and transportation needed to recycle batteries.
For more information about Cirba Solutions and how the company is supporting the priority of accelerating access to domestically sourced critical minerals by expanding the industrial base, thereby enhancing national security and global competitiveness, visit the company’s website.
