Atlanta, Georgia cell grading plant
How Atlanta — Georgia Grading Centre decides reuse or refining for every module — test sequence, grade bands, outputs and the sites that feed it.
Throughput
22,000 TPA
Process stages
6
Feeder sites nearby
6
Operating since
2021
From intake to grade assignment
- 1
Intake & safety triage
Packs are logged, thermally imaged and screened for swelling, coolant ingress or venting before entering the bench area.
- 2
Controlled de-energising
Residual energy is discharged to a safe state of charge with regenerative load banks and recorded per serial number.
- 3
Module-level capacity test
Full charge-discharge cycling at C/3 establishes usable capacity, internal resistance and cell-to-cell balance.
- 4
EIS fingerprinting
1 mHz–10 kHz impedance sweeps separate SEI growth, lithium plating and contact resistance degradation modes.
- 5
AI optical inspection
Machine-vision inspection of busbars, welds and cell cans flags mechanical defects that block second-life reuse.
- 6
Grade assignment
Grade A (≥85% SOH), B (75–85%), C (65–75%) and D routes are assigned, with D-grade material released to refining.
Acceptance criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Accepted feed | Whole packs and modules from intake yards and fleets |
| State of charge | Below 30% on arrival, recorded per serial |
| Condition | Damaged units declared and routed to quarantine |
| Documentation | Manifest with serials, chemistry and prior history |
Grade bands and routes
| Grade | Route |
|---|---|
| Grade A (85%+) | Grid-tied and commercial storage builds |
| Grade B (75–85%) | Telecom backup and solar buffering |
| Grade C (65–75%) | Low-duty backup, short warranty |
| Grade D (<65%) | Discharge and refining feed |
Why Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia has become one of the most active US states for EV and battery manufacturing, with major vehicle and cell plants operating or under construction. Atlanta's freight network, airport and interstate connections make it a natural grading point for the south-east, and the centre opened on Fulton Industrial Boulevard in 2021 to keep regional packs from being sent to the Midwest for testing.
Its 22,000 TPA of diagnostics capacity focuses on passenger-car and commercial packs from south-eastern dealers and fleets, together with rejected and test material from new regional factories as they ramp up. Packs that pass grading are released for second-life use; those that do not are sent to an integrated campus for black mass production. Serial-level reports are issued for every pack tested, whether it goes on to reuse or recycling.
Permitting
EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes
The centre operates under Georgia Environmental Protection Division requirements and manages spent lithium-ion batteries under the US EPA universal waste framework where applicable. Transport follows US DOT hazardous materials rules for lithium batteries.
Technical strengths
South-east grading base
Serves Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Alabama without long trips to the Midwest.
Factory ramp-up support
Handles rejected and test material produced while new plants scale up.
Freight-hub location
Atlanta's logistics network shortens both inbound and onward transport.
Sites that feed Atlanta, Georgia
Packs and modules arrive from these intake sites.
Atlanta, Georgia plant: technical questions
How long does grading take?
Standard passenger modules are graded within about five working days of intake; large-format bus and truck packs take longer because of disassembly.
What tests are run on each module?
A full capacity cycle, DC internal resistance, impedance spectroscopy and optical inspection of busbars, welds and cans.
Which states does the Atlanta centre cover?
Mainly Georgia and neighbouring south-eastern states, including the Carolinas, Tennessee and Alabama.
Does Atlanta take material from new factories?
Yes. It grades or routes rejected and test material generated while regional plants ramp up.
Damaged or defective packs are handled under a separate quarantine protocol — flag them in the form and the team calls you back the same day.
Need modules graded?
Share pack counts, chemistry and condition for a grading slot and indicative value split.