Nth Cycle is transforming the refining of critical metals by integrating sustainability, innovation, and efficiency on a large scale. The patented electro-extraction technology, which is available in its ready-to-market Oyster system, extracts critical metals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, copper, and rare earths from end-of-life batteries, scrap materials, and mined ores at the source. This means that there is no need to transport refined metals over long distances, thereby cutting down carbon emissions and the negative environmental and social impacts of conventional, centralized refining infrastructure.

The Oyster system is modular, flexible, and scalable, with the capacity to adapt to different feedstocks, volumes, and industry requirements. Each system is optimized for specific metals, producing a high-value, universally accepted material that can be applied in electric vehicles, renewable energy, defense, and advanced technologies. Co-located at partner facilities, the Oyster system enables a circular and sustainable supply chain, which is less reliant on imported refining. With rapid installation cycles and streamlined permitting, Nth Cycle provides a viable, clean, and sensible solution to the global critical metals crisis. By integrating cutting-edge electrochemistry with a decentralized, sustainable model, Nth Cycle is driving a new era of responsible, innovative, and energy-secure metal production.

Nth Cycle Offerings

Revolutionizing Metal Refining with Electro-Extraction

Nth Cycle’s Oyster technology is a game-changer in critical metal refining, offering speed, flexibility, and sustainability. At the core of the technology is the company’s patented electro-extraction process, which achieves the same chemical reactions as traditional refining but with electricity rather than fossil fuels. Each Oyster cell is designed to selectively extract, separate, and recover particular metals from end-of-life batteries, scrap materials, or mined ores, resulting in a highly valuable and universally accepted final product for various industries. Unlike traditional, centralized metal refineries that take years to develop and permit, Oyster cells can be deployed at partner sites in as little as 12 months, producing metal on-site while also satisfying local legislative requirements. The Oyster system’s modularity allows for easy adaptation to evolving feedstocks, quantities, and final product requirements, ensuring that it is a flexible and market-ready solution. With Oyster, Nth Cycle provides the cleanest metal refining solution in the industry, accelerating the achievement of net-zero goals and redefining sustainability in the critical metals industry.

Supporting a Circular, Scalable, and Sustainable Supply Chain

Nth Cycle’s solution goes beyond technology and encompasses the establishment of a robust and decentralized supply chain. By co-locating Oyster units at partner facilities, the firm can refine raw and recycled materials into usable metals. Currently, the solution is centered on nickel, cobalt, lithium, and manganese metals, which are critical in the production of electric vehicles, energy storage solutions, defense applications, and renewable energy infrastructure. However, the firm is also working on developing technology for copper, dysprosium, and praseodymium metals. The co-location approach enables partners to retain ownership of refined materials while ensuring rapid deployment to address the growing demand in the market. The solution promotes a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over traditional laterite mining and a 44% reduction over conventional recycling processes, thus addressing both sustainability and efficiency. With technology, scalability, and sustainability in place, Nth Cycle’s solution is universal and can support multiple industries, feedstocks, and applications, making it a leader in clean, responsible, and innovative critical metal production.

Megan O’Connor - Short Bio

Megan O’Connor is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nth Cycle, a leading company in sustainable critical metal refining. Megan co-created the company’s patented electro-extraction process that allows for clean, in-house metal extraction from batteries, scraps, and ore, cutting the need for imports from foreign refineries and the associated environmental concerns. Megan grew Nth Cycle from a start-up to a commercial success in only six years, securing federal grants, industry awards, and the installation of the company’s Oyster metal extraction system at partner facilities. With her PhD from Duke University, Megan brought the latest advances in electrochemistry to critical metal recycling, putting Nth Cycle at the forefront of innovation in clean, scalable, and responsible metal production.

Nth Cycle is redefining critical metal refining with clean, on-site electro-extraction that delivers sustainable, secure supply chains for the energy transition.