Can Ace Green Crack the EV Battery Recycling Code?

Ace Green merges with Athena to scale zero-emission battery recycling in Texas and beyond.

14 Jun 2025

A new name is entering the clean tech spotlight, and it has big plans for the future of electric vehicles. Ace Green Recycling is going public through a merger with Athena Technology Acquisition Corp II, unlocking $250 million to fuel its expansion in the United States.

The startup’s first major act? A flagship battery recycling facility in Texas, aimed at tackling the growing pile of used EV batteries. It is a problem the energy industry can no longer ignore.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on high-heat smelting and pump out toxic gases, Ace Green’s process uses chemistry, not combustion. Its zero-emission system extracts lithium, lead, and other key materials without the environmental toll.

“Ace is advancing electrification by building a global recycling technology company focused on sustainability and circularity,” said CEO Nishchay Chadha.

Ace Green already has a foothold abroad, with operations in India and Taiwan. Now it is betting that the U.S. EV surge and tightening regulations will accelerate demand for its cleaner recycling model.

The company is not flying solo. A long-term supply deal with mining giant Glencore gives it both stability and credibility as it enters the public market. Analysts say the timing could not be better. With electric cars and energy storage systems on the rise, battery recycling is shifting from afterthought to necessity.

Ace Green faces stiff competition from names like Redwood Materials and Li-Cycle, but its low-impact approach could give it an edge with regulators and environmentally conscious buyers.

Still, hurdles remain. Sourcing enough spent batteries and navigating a complex regulatory landscape will not be easy. But with fresh funding and a solid plan, Ace Green is positioning itself as a serious contender in the race to make clean energy truly sustainable.