Nth Cycle Inc products

Our technology introduces a new twist to metals extraction in ways that out-compete incumbent processes – hands down. Our electro-extraction system provides high process intensity, uses inexpensive materials, and has exceptionally low energy requirements. The OYSTER is the heart of our electro-extraction system. This electrochemically-modified filter press is able to precisely select for certain compounds as a function of different operating voltages – a process that we’ve surgically fine-tuned to enable high degrees of specificity. Once the target metals have been precipitated, we harvest the metal powder and dry to the desired specifications for our customers and the market. What’s incredible is that this entire process happens within a box that’s just 900 sq. ft. in size – no bigger than just 3 shipping containers!

Electro-extraction hybridizes proven traditional unit processing techniques including electrowinning, precipitation, and filtration into a single compact and modular unit. We found a way to use a porous conductive electrode (carbon nanotubes) to combine filtration and electrowinning, overcoming the inefficiencies in both individual processing techniques. So what do those terms mean exactly? Traditionally, electrowinning is the process of passing a controlled current through an anode in an aqueous solution of dissolved metal ions. This current causes specific ions to plate onto the cathode depending on the tuned current – this part of the process is called electroplating. During this step, the metal precipitates onto the cathode as an insoluble solid emerging from an aqueous solution. Once this coating reaches a sufficient level of saturation, the pure metal is collected from the cathode at purity levels that are significantly higher than those at the start of the process.

Our flagship product is a category-breaking mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) of nickel and cobalt. Our electro-extraction MHP is greater than 98% NiCo content, while traditional MHP from laterite ore is 75% NiCo. Higher purities allow our customers to recover more critical minerals from their supplied feedstocks and lower costs through reduced transportation and refining needs. MHP created through electro-extraction is independently-party validated to be a 92% lower greenhouse gas emissions product than MHP from laterite ore, and 44% lower emissions compared to MHP from traditional recycling processes. When produced in the United States, our MHP is also Inflation Reduction Act compliant, while MHP is otherwise produced in Indonesia and not compliant. All together, our higher purity and lower-emissions MHP product is ushering in a new supply standard for MHP that helps our customers lower their supply chain emissions, improve recovery rates, and lower costs.