Johnson Controls, Milwaukee, Wis., finalized an agreement with Aqua Metals, Alameda, Calif., covering North America, China and Europe for a cutting-edge electrochemical battery recycling technology.

"Our partnership with Johnson Controls is a tremendous step forward, and is an opportunity for us to work with the global leader in automotive battery manufacturing and responsible recycling," says Dr. Stephen Clarke, chairman and CEO of Aqua Metals. "We will build on this exciting relationship in order to enable clean and efficient battery recycling around the world."

Under the agreement, Johnson Controls will:

• Become the first licensee for AquaRefining technology.
• Supply Aqua Metals with batteries to recycle as a service, as part of the Johnson Controls closed-loop network.
• Purchase AquaRefined metals produced from Aqua Metals' facilities.
• Acquire just under 5% of Aqua Metals outstanding shares.

"Agreements like this are a part of our continuing strategy to invest in clean technologies, building on our commitment to create a more sustainable and environmentally responsible industry," says Joe Walicki, president of Johnson Controls Power Solutions.

Aqua Metals, which recently opened its first plant in McCarran, Nev., uses an advanced electrochemical process for recycling batteries.