Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: ARLP) ("ARLP" or the "Partnership") announced today that it has invested $25 million in Ascend Elements, Inc. ("Ascend Elements"), a U.S.-based manufacturer and recycler of sustainable, engineered battery materials for electric vehicles, as part of its $460 million Series D funding round. This capital, combined with $480 million in total grants awarded by the Department of Energy, will advance construction of North America's first commercial-scale manufacturing facility, located near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, producing cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries.
"We are excited about our strategic investment in Ascend Elements, which has become a proven leader in the rapidly growing battery and critical material sector supporting electrification of transportation," said Joseph W. Craft III, ARLP's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We see a significant need for recycling solutions outside of China and U.S.-based production of cathode materials to address the growing demand for critical battery materials. Ascend Elements' experienced management team, proprietary technology, and recent commercial success with high-quality OEMs give us the confidence they are well positioned to meet these growing needs while delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns."
In close proximity to ARLP’s western Kentucky operations, when complete, the 1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility will produce enough cathode materials for 750,000 electric vehicles per year. Underpinning the financing and initial capacity of its operation, Ascend Elements signed a $1 billion contract earlier this year to supply cathode materials in the fourth quarter of 2024 with options to expand the multi-year contract to a larger volume valued up to $5 billion.
Mr. Craft closed, "Beyond this initial investment, we look forward to exploring more strategic opportunities with Ascend Elements to expand our investment in the battery recycling industry and leverage our unique operational expertise, geographic footprint, and strategic relationships in Kentucky and the surrounding battery-belt states to further unlock value and growth for both companies."
About Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.
ARLP is a diversified energy company that is currently the largest coal producer in the eastern United States, supplying reliable, affordable energy domestically and internationally to major utilities, metallurgical and industrial users. ARLP also generates operating and royalty income from mineral interests it owns in strategic coal and oil & gas producing regions in the United States. In addition, ARLP is evolving and positioning itself as a reliable energy partner for the future by pursuing opportunities that support the advancement of energy and related infrastructure.
News, unit prices and additional information about ARLP, including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), are available at www.arlp.com. For more information, contact the investor relations department of ARLP at (918) 295-7673 or via e-mail at investorrelations@arlp.com.
About Ascend Elements, Inc
Based in Westborough, Mass., Ascend Elements is the leading provider of sustainable, closed-loop battery materials solutions. From EV battery recycling to commercial-scale production of lithium-ion battery precursor ("pCAM") and cathode active materials ("CAM"), Ascend Elements is revolutionizing the production of sustainable lithium-ion battery materials. Its proprietary Hydro-to-Cathode® direct precursor synthesis technology produces new pCAM from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. With fewer batteries going to landfill and a cleaner manufacturing process, Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level of sustainability.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230905570612/en/
Contacts
Cary P. Marshall
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
918-295-7673
investorrelations@arlp.com
