Li AquaRefining Campus

Aqua Metals flagship lithium battery recycling campus—the Sierra ARC (AquaRefining Campus)—will be the first sustainable lithium battery recycling center in North America and the first commercial-scale deployment of our Li AquaRefining technology.

Aqua Metals Sierra ARC Campus Plan

Construction and renovation of the five-acre property in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center initiated in 2023 with plans to reach 10,000 tonnes-per-year capacity (100,000 EV batteries annually) in the coming years through a phased development strategy.

The phased campus development strategy for the Sierra ARC enables Aqua Metals to rapidly expand our commercial lithium battery recycling capacity while maintaining a higher level of flexibility and resilience.

Phase 1
Phase 1: Renovation and Site Preparation (2023-2024)
Currently underway, Aqua Metals is up-fitting the existing 20,000 square foot industrial building on the campus to house a 3,000 tonne-per-year Li AquaRefinery.
Phase 2
Phase 2: Expansion & Construction of Buildings 2 & 3 (2025-2026)
Buildings 2 & 3 are planned to break ground in 2025 and complete construction 2026, and will house an additional 7,000 tonnes-per-year of black mass recycling capacity (10,000 tonnes total)

–  what’s new at the arc  –

We will continue to provide updates, photos, and videos as we complete construction milestones, begin commissioning and initiate operations at the Sierra ARC.

ARC Photo Gallery

Interior Rendering
Exterior Rendering
Exterior Rendering Showing Equipment
Bldg 1 exterior with mountains behind
Continued renovations to Bldg 1
Exterior of Bldg 1
Workers begin to prep Bldg 1 for concrete pouring
Workers spread concrete across the new factory floor.
The new factory floor begins to set as workers continue to prep the Sierra ARC
Workers prep the factory floor for concrete pouring.
The Sierra ARC superstructure will be assembled in segments.
A view of the steel superstructure underside
The construction team works on the top level of the steel superstructure.
Workers prepare the top level of the steel superstructure for another concrete pour.
Workers continue to build the steel superstructure.
The completed walkway leading from the mezzanine to the superstructure.
A worker staircase installed on the backside of the superstructure.
The top level of the superstructure will house multiple pieces of AquaRefining technology
The steel base for another wall is raised at building one.
Another view of the steel wall structure
More equipment is delivered to ARC Building 1
The steel base begins to be walled up.
NV Energy workers set up the power necesarry for Building 1's operations
The 2nd level of the factory floor
New strcutural pieces are delivered to the ARC
Crane system implemented on the 2nd floor of ARC building 1 for moving materials.
The new crane system hangs above the railings in Arc Building 1.
Additional work is done to the floor at ARC Building 1.
The Sierra ARC's crane system will help to move materials across the 2nd floor.

AQUA METALS SOLVES THE MASSIVE LITHIUM-ION RECYCLING CHALLENGE

How our approach is different from other recycling solutions:

NO SMELTING

No furnace required, no greenhouse emissions

HIGHER %

Recovers a higher percentage
of metals in a higher
quality form

MINIMAL WASTE

Closed-loop process that
recycles chemicals
and water

HIGHER QUALITY

Produces higher quality
products at a lower
operating cost