Li-Cycle expands in Kingston with new Centre of Excellence

March 4, 2022

Original article published in Kingstonist

Kingston Economic Development Corporation (Kingston EcDev), has announced that Li-Cycle, an industry leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery and the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, is expanding in Kingston with a Centre of Excellence to be established in Kingston’s Clogg’s Road Business Park.

“I’m thrilled that Li-Cycle, a company recognized for its world changing technology, has chosen Kingston as home for their new Centre of Excellence,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “Li-Cycle is the industry leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery. This innovative company, with their emphasis on environmental sustainability, is exactly the kind of business we want to see grow in Kingston. That’s why City Council moved to facilitate this development by expediting the new Clogg’s Road Business Park. We’re excited to see this new facility move ahead, and the new jobs and growth that will accompany Li-Cycle’s forward-thinking vision.”

Founded in 2016, Li-Cycle has developed technologies that can recover up to 95 per cent of all the materials in lithium-ion batteries in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. According to a release from Kingston EcDev, the city has played an essential role in Li-Cycle’s growth, partnering with Green Centre Canada and Kingston Process Metallurgy to move its patented Spoke & Hub Technologies™ from concept to commercialization. Kingston is home to Li-Cycle’s first commercial Spoke that has a processing capacity of 5,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery material per year.

“We’ve always had a strong and collaborative working relationship with Kingston, with a great appreciation for the expertise that exists within the community,” said Tim Johnston, Li-Cycle’s co-founder and Executive Chairman. “Our new Centre of Excellence at Clogg’s Road Business Park will be conveniently located between the Ontario and Quebec markets, where there’s a significant electric vehicle penetration and large quantities of electronic waste. Ultimately, that puts us in a great position to continue scaling, while also supporting our global expansion using our sustainable Spoke & Hub Technologies – which is something the planet needs now more than ever.”

According to Li-Cycle, the Centre of Excellence will bring both the local warehouse as well as the Spoke facility, currently in two separate locations, together, alongside administrative offices. The company said it will gather their high-functioning Kingston team together under one roof.

“Kingston Economic Development is proud to see the continued growth and investment from Li-Cycle in Kingston,” stated Donna Gillespie, CEO, Kingston Economic Development. “Li-Cycle continues to achieve significant milestones and accomplishments including being listed on the New York Stock Exchange in August 2021. We expect Li-Cycle’s Centre of Excellence to attract new clean tech companies to the region.”

The City of Kingston has expedited the development for Clogg’s Road Business Park to facilitate the growth of Li-Cycle and future clean tech companies, according to the release. Kingston is dedicated to, and has a long history of, clean technology that gives the region strong and established roots in this sector, EcDev stated, noting that Li-Cycle’s work and investment in Kingston is a great example of sector capacity.

“Li-Cycle is a global leader in clean technology and the Kingston Centre of Excellence speaks to the opportunity and talent available in the region,” said Shelley Hirstwood, Director of Business Development. “This new opportunity shows the impact of working together as Team Kingston alongside our City colleagues.”