EX-99.3 4 a993mdaq12023.htm EX-99.3 Document






Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation of
Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.
Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
(Unaudited)




























Table of Contents

TitlePage
Summary1
Company Overview1
Comparability of Financial Information2
Strategic Priorities and Business Outlook2
Select Financial Information4
Financial Results4
Operational Updates7
Liquidity and Capital Resources10
Contractual Obligations and Commitments12
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk13
Key Factors Affecting Li-Cycle’s Performance
14
Related Party Transactions16
Outstanding Share Data16
Summary of Quarterly Results and Transition Period Results16
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements17
Material Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates18
Disclosure Controls and Procedures19
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting19
Non-IFRS Measures20
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements21




LI-CYCLE HOLDINGS CORP. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) is dated May 15, 2023 and provides information which the management of Li-Cycle believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of Li-Cycle for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. In addition to historical financial information, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. For more information about forward-looking statements, refer to the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”. Actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under the section entitled “Key Factors Affecting Li-Cycle’s Performance” and under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report.

Li-Cycle has changed its financial year-end from October 31st to December 31st, to better align with peer group companies. As a result, the Company has prepared (restated) unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the two-month period ended December 31, 2022 (the “Transition Period Financial Statements”), included in the Company’s amended transition report on Form 20-F for the two-month period ended December 31, 2022, as well as audited consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended October 31, 2022 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended October 31, 2022 (the “Annual Report”).

Li-Cycle’s annual consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Standards Board (“IASB”). Li-Cycle’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with Li-Cycle’s (restated) Transition Period Financial Statements and Li-Cycle’s annual consolidated financial statements as at and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and the related MD&A. All amounts are in U.S. dollars except as otherwise indicated. For more information about the basis of presentation of Li-Cycle’s financial statements, see the section entitled "Components of Results of Operations—Basis of Presentation."

Certain figures, such as interest rates and other percentages included in this MD&A, have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this MD&A have in all cases been calculated on the basis of the amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this MD&A may vary slightly from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in Li-Cycle’s financial statements or in the associated text. Certain other amounts that appear in this MD&A may similarly not sum due to rounding.

Company Overview
Li-Cycle is an industry leader in lithium-ion battery (“LIB”) resource recovery and the leading LIB recycler in North America. When Li-Cycle refers to itself as the leading LIB recycler in North America, it is referring to its status based on installed permitted capacity for LIB recycling measured in tonnes per year. The Company’s proprietary “Spoke & Hub” recycling and resource recovery process is designed (a) at its Spokes, to process battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries to produce “black mass” and other intermediate products, and (b) at its Hubs, to process black mass to produce battery grade materials, including nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, and lithium carbonate. The Company produces certain products analogous to black mass that have a similar metal content, and, as a result, the Company tracks its production using a unit of measure called black mass and black mass equivalents (“Black Mass & Equivalents” or “BM&E”). Li-Cycle has a market-leading position in North America through its four operational Spokes in Kingston, Ontario (the “Ontario Spoke”), Rochester, New York (the “New York Spoke”), Gilbert, Arizona (the “Arizona Spoke”) and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (the “Alabama Spoke”). The Company is currently developing its first commercial-scale Hub in Rochester, New York (the “Rochester Hub”). Li-Cycle is working on plans to develop an expanded Spoke and warehouse facility that will replace its existing Spoke in Kingston, Ontario (the “New Ontario Spoke”). Li-Cycle is also developing new Spokes in Europe, including in Magdeburg, Germany (the “Germany Spoke”), which is expected to commence operations in mid-2023, in Moss, Norway (the “Norway Spoke”), which is expected to commence logistics
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operations in 2023 and operations in 2024, and in Harnes, France (the “France Spoke”), which is expected to commence operations in 2024. Refer to the section entitled “Operational Updates” for additional details.

Until 2020, Li-Cycle was a development stage company with no commercial revenues. To date, Li-Cycle has financed its operations primarily through proceeds received in connection with: (i) the business combination it completed with Peridot Acquisition Corp. on August 10, 2021 (the “Business Combination”); (ii) the concurrent $315.5 million private placement of common shares (the “PIPE Financing”); and (iii) private placements of other Li-Cycle securities (including convertible notes and common shares). Refer to the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for definitions and additional details.

Comparability of Financial Information

Li-Cycle’s future results of operations and financial position may not be comparable to historical results as a result of the Business Combination and the factors described below, among other things.

Li-Cycle included certain projected financial information in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form F-4 dated July 15, 2021 and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the Business Combination (as amended, the “Proxy/Registration Statement”), which information was also incorporated by reference in Li-Cycle’s non-offering final prospectus dated August 10, 2021 filed with the Ontario Securities Commission (the “Canadian Prospectus”) and Shell Company Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC.

As a result of the developments described below, the assumptions underlying the projected financial information included in the Proxy/Registration Statement and the Canadian Prospectus, including a number of assumptions regarding capital expenditures and the timing of the roll-out of new operational facilities, no longer reflect a reasonable basis on which to project the Company’s future results, and therefore those projections should not be relied on as indicative of future results. Demand for LIB recycling has continued to exceed its internal projections and, in order to meet this growing demand, the Company decided to increase and accelerate its investment in the build-out of its recycling capacity in certain respects. For example, since the date of effectiveness of the Proxy/Registration Statement and the date of the Canadian Prospectus, respectively, the Company has, among other things, opened the Arizona Spoke and the Alabama Spoke, and announced the development of other Spoke projects, increasing its processing capacity beyond that of the Company’s previous plans and projections. Li-Cycle has also announced the increase of expected processing capacity and development costs at its Rochester Hub. The Company’s actual results could differ substantially from the projected financial information contained in the Proxy/Registration Statement and the Canadian Prospectus.

Strategic Priorities and Business Outlook

Strategic priorities for the year ending December 31, 2023

Capitalizing on strong secular market and government policy – The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 favors the development of a domestic electric vehicle (“EV”) supply chain which will help the Company as a U.S. domestic operator. In addition, growing mega-factory investments in North America and globally are expected to drive significant increases in the Company's total addressable market;

Advancing first mover roll-out of the Spoke & Hub network in North America and Europe The Rochester Hub is on track to commence commissioning in stages in late 2023. The Company is also scheduled to open its first European Spoke in 2023 with two additional European Spokes expected in 2024. The Company expects to continue to add key commercial contracts underpinning its investments in both North America and Europe;

Funding flexibility and building further balance sheet strength – The Company intends to pursue potential debt financing options from both traditional and government sources in support of future growth;

Optimizing European asset rollout plan – The Company is scheduled to commence operations at its first European Spoke in Magdeburg, Germany in the second half of 2023. The Germany Spoke is expected to have total capacity of 30,000 tonnes of LIB input per year including two main lines with the capacity to
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process 20,000 tonnes of LIB per year and ancillary processing of a further 10,000 tonnes of LIB per year. Li-Cycle is also advancing additional Spoke projects in France and Norway;

Maximizing significant lithium value within black mass – The lithium content within the Black Mass & Equivalents has no payable value under the Company’s current third-party sales contracts. To unlock that value, which has increased in the current market context, Li-Cycle is planning to gradually shift to a strategy of retaining BM&E production for future internal use as feedstock at the Rochester Hub, which is on track to commence commissioning in stages in late 2023. The Rochester Hub will produce battery grade lithium carbonate, among other battery grade materials, from the Company’s BM&E feedstock and the sale of these finished products is expected to unlock the additional metal value contained within the Company’s BM&E.

Update on Strategic Priorities

Funding flexibility and building further balance sheet strength – On February 27, 2023, the Company announced that it had entered into a conditional commitment with the United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) Loan Programs Office for a loan of up to $375 million (the “DOE Loan”) through the DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program. The DOE Loan, which is to be used for the development of the Rochester Hub, would have a term of up to 12 years from financial close, and interest on the loan would be the 10-year U.S. Treasury rates from the date of each advance under the loan. The Company expects to close this transaction in Q2 2023, subject to completion of long form agreements and certain conditions to be satisfied prior to closing. The DOE Loan will build further balance sheet strength and liquidity in support of future growth for the Company;

Advancing first mover roll-out of the Spoke & Hub network in North America and Europe – Li-Cycle has made significant progress on the construction and development of the Rochester Hub to date, with life to date spending at $178.4 million as at March 31, 2023, which includes the achievement of key engineering, permitting, procurement and construction milestones and is on track to initiate commissioning in stages in late 2023. Refer to the section entitled “Operational Updates” for further details. The Company continues to diversify its strategic long-term commercial agreements by working with a broad pool of customers over multiple year agreements to underpin its capital investments;

Optimizing European Spoke rollout plan – The Company continues to advance the Germany Spoke which is expected to have two main lines operational in the second half of 2023. The Company has also announced the development of the France Spoke, a facility with an initial main line processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes of LIB input per year, and the optionality to expand to up to 25,000 tonnes per year. Refer to the section entitled “Operational Updates” for additional details on the Company’s Spoke network rollout plan;

On May 9th, 2023, the Company announced it has signed a letter of intent with Glencore International AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glencore plc (“Glencore”), to jointly study the feasibility of, and later, develop a Hub facility in Portovesme, Italy (the “Portovesme Hub”) to produce critical battery materials. The Portovesme Hub would repurpose part of the existing Glencore metallurgical complex, which would enable a cost-efficient and expedited development plan. The definitive feasibility study (“DFS”) is expected to be completed by mid-2024. Subject to a final investment decision, the project would proceed to construction with commissioning of the Portovesme Hub expected to commence in late 2026 to early 2027. The project also contemplates competitive long-term financing from Glencore to fund Li-Cycle’s share of the capital investment. The Portovesme Hub could have processing capacity of up to 50,000 to 70,000 tonnes of Black Mass & Equivalents annually.







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Business outlook for the year ending December 31, 2023

Actual ResultsBusiness Outlook
$ millions, except production in tonnesThree months ended March 31, 2023Year ended December 31, 2023
Production Volume
BM&E Production 1,853 7,500 - 8,500
Growth capital for Hub & Spoke Networks1
Rochester Hub$55.4$250-300
Spokes in development5.735-45

Li-Cycle produced 1,853 tonnes of Black Mass & Equivalents in the three months ended March 31, 2023. The production outlook is based on current mainline and ancillary capacity of the Company’s operating Spokes, being the Ontario Spoke, New York Spoke, Arizona Spoke and Alabama Spoke, combined with the Germany Spoke, which is currently in development and expected to have two operational main lines by the second half of 2023.

The Company’s 2023 capital spending outlook is primarily related to the Rochester Hub, which is expected to enter the commissioning phase by late 2023, and developing the Spoke network. The Company continues to advance its Spokes in development in 2023, including the installation of the first and second main lines at the Germany Spoke, initial work on the France Spoke and the New Ontario Spoke, and further work on the Norway Spoke. Refer to the section entitled “Operational Updates” for further details.

The Company expects to have other capital expenditures in 2023 related to sustaining and improvement capital for the existing Spoke network, research and development, capital spare parts and other items which are not included in the growth capital outlook above.

Select Financial Information

Unaudited $ millions, except for per share data, for the three months ended March 31,
20232022
Revenue$3.6 $8.0 
Loss from operations(39.1)(21.1)
Net loss(39.4)(10.1)
Loss per common share - basic and diluted(0.22)(0.06)
As atMarch 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Total assets$850.6 $901.1
Total non-current financial liabilities329.6 321.6

Financial Results
Three months ended
March 31,
Unaudited $ millions, except per share data20232022Change
Financial highlights
Revenues$3.6 $8.0 $(4.4)
Operating expenses42.7 29.1 13.6 
Other income(0.2)11.0 (11.2)
Income taxes0.1 — 0.1 
Net loss(39.4)(10.1)(29.3)
1 Capital spend outlook does not include capitalized labour.
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Net loss attributable to the Shareholders of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.(39.4)(10.1)(29.3)
Adjusted EBITDA2(35.2)(19.5)(15.7)
Loss per common share - basic and diluted$(0.22)$(0.06)$(0.16)
Cash used in operating activities(20.7)(18.8)(1.9)
As atMarch 31, 2023December 31, 2022Change
Cash
Cash balance$409.2 $517.9 $(108.7)
Revenue

Li-Cycle recognizes revenue from: (i) sales of intermediate products from Li-Cycle’s Spokes, being Black Mass & Equivalents, and shredded metal; and (ii) providing services relating to recycling of LIB, which includes coordination of logistics and destruction of batteries. Sales of intermediate products are presented net of fair value losses recognized in the period. Refer to the section entitled “Material Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates” for additional details on the Company’s revenue recognition policy.
Three months ended March 31,
Unaudited $ millions, except sales volume20232022
Product revenue recognized in the period$7.2 $3.3 
Recycling service revenue recognized in the period0.5 0.3 
Revenue before FMV adjustments7.7 3.6 
Fair value pricing adjustments(4.1)4.4 
Revenue$3.6 $8.0 
Tonnes of Black Mass & Equivalents sold881 774 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenues were $3.6 million, compared to $8.0 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Sales of Black Mass & Equivalents were 881 tonnes for the period, compared to 774 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2022. Revenue from product sales and recycling services before FMV adjustments of $7.7 million increased by 114% during the period, due to higher product sales volume from the continued expansion of the Company’s customer base, the expanding operations of the Company’s Spoke facilities, and the benefit of a higher product sales value mix of BM&E, partially offset by a reduction in market prices of cobalt and nickel. There were unfavorable FMV adjustments on product revenue of $4.1 million for three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to favorable adjustments of $4.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022, driven by decreasing cobalt and nickel prices in the period.

The following table sets out the period end and period average commodity prices for cobalt and nickel:

      Market price per tonneAverage market price per tonne
       As at March 31, Three months ended March 31,
2023202220232022
Cobalt$35,935 $85,980 $35,458 $79,954 
Nickel23,050 33,300 25,737 26,930

As of March 31, 2023, 4,359 metric tonnes of Black Mass & Equivalents are subject to fair value pricing adjustments which, depending on the contractual terms, could take up to 12 months to settle after shipment. The table below shows the expected settlement dates for the metric tonnes of BM&E subject to fair value price adjustments by quarter for the last twelve months:



Expected settlement dates for metric tonnes subject to fair value pricing adjustments
2 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure and does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Refer to the section entitled "Non-IFRS Measures" in this MD&A for details, including a reconciliation to comparable IFRS financial measures.
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March 31, 2023December 31, 2022October 31, 2022July 31, 2022April 30, 2022
271+ days1,154 1,195 1,816 1,559 1,358 
181-270 days583 925 1,178 678 530 
91-180 days925 1,406 678 530 344 
1-90 days1,697 902 530 445 367 
Total metric tonnes4,359 4,428 4,202 3,212 2,599 

Operating expenses

Primary expense categories for Li-Cycle include employee salaries and benefits and share-based compensation (together, “personnel costs”), office, administrative and travel, professional fees (which include consulting and other advisor fees), raw materials and supplies, depreciation, and plant facilities. Personnel costs are presented net of any employee and share-based compensation capitalized to assets under construction.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, operating expenses were $42.7 million, $13.6 million higher than in the corresponding period of 2022. The main driver was an increase in raw materials and supplies cost ($7.6 million) reflecting an increased volume of production in the period as a result of additional processing capacity in the Spoke network coupled with higher average material costs in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the corresponding period of 2022. Other drivers were increases in office, administrative, and travel costs ($1.4 million), which were driven by additional insurance costs and coverage, increased information technology costs associated with the growth in headcount and global footprint, and increased levels of travel reflecting the Company’s expanding global footprint and a return to pre-pandemic frequency of travel, and increases in personnel costs ($0.7 million) related to the addition of corporate, operational, and engineering personnel as Li-Cycle continues to expand its Spoke operations, offset by lower share-based compensation.

Other income

Other income consists of interest income, foreign exchange gain or loss and interest expense (together, “interest expense and other costs”), and fair value gain (loss) on financial instruments. Interest expense represents interest paid in kind, actual cash interest costs incurred and any accrued interest payable at a future date, net of interest costs capitalized for qualifying assets if they are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, other income decreased by $11.2 million, compared to the corresponding period of 2022. The main driver of the decrease was a fair value loss on financial instruments of $0.7 million in 2023 compared to a fair value gain of $14.9 million in the corresponding period in 2022, primarily due to a $11.1 million fair value gain on the redemption of warrants in the corresponding period in 2022. This is partially offset by a $4.8 million increase in interest income reflecting interest earned on short-term cash deposits and a decrease in interest expense on the Company’s convertible debt, the KSP Convertible Notes and the Glencore Convertible Notes, net of capitalized interest. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, $5.7 million of interest costs were capitalized related to borrowings directly attributable to qualifying Rochester Hub assets (2022: $nil).

Net loss and Adjusted EBITDA

Net loss was $39.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $10.1 million in the comparative period in 2022. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was driven by the factors discussed above. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $35.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $19.5 million in the corresponding period of 2022. The primary difference between Adjusted EBITDA and net loss for the period is the exclusion of unrealized fair value gains on financial instruments, as well as interest income, interest expense, depreciation, and certain one-time expenses. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA loss to net loss is provided in the section “Non-IFRS Measures” below.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents were $409.2 million as at March 31, 2023, compared to $517.9 million as at December 31, 2022. The Company incurred capital expenditure of $86.3 million in the period, primarily comprising purchases of equipment and construction materials for the Rochester Hub and the Germany Spoke in addition to
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outflows for ongoing operating expenses of $20.7 million. Refer to the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further details of the Company’s cash flows.

Cash flows used in operational activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash flows used by operating activities were approximately $20.7 million, and were primarily driven by the growth and expansion of Li-Cycle’s operations and commercial footprint, the ramp up of operations in the period, and working capital changes related to the timing of receipts and payments.


Operational Updates

Three months ended
March 31,
Unaudited $ millions, except production data in tonnes20232022Change
Operational Highlights
Capital Expenditure$86.3$16.4426%
Production - Black Mass & Equivalents1,853702164%

Capital expenditure

Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $86.3 million, compared to $16.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were primarily driven by purchases of equipment and construction materials for the Rochester Hub of $77.2 million. Capital spend for detailed engineering, equipment and installation and facility related expenditures for the Company’s Spokes for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $9.1 million, and include the Germany Spoke, as well as other sustaining and improvement capital for the existing Spoke network.

Included in the capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are $2.0 million in personnel costs, which were capitalized to assets under construction as they are costs that are directly attributable to bringing the Company’s Rochester Hub and Spoke development projects to a condition and location necessary for the assets to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management (2022: $nil).

Production – Black Mass & Equivalents

The Company produced 1,853 tonnes of Black Mass & Equivalents in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 702 tonnes in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in production of BM&E was primarily attributable to the Company’s expanding Spoke network, including the addition of the Arizona Spoke, the Alabama Spoke, and ancillary processing lines at the New York Spoke subsequent to the comparative period.

Capital Projects

The Company has a major design and build project underway to establish its first Hub and is developing and evolving a network of Spokes. The Company prioritizes the fastest growing electrification demand centers and prudently directing capital.

Rochester Hub

Li-Cycle’s first commercial Hub is currently under construction in Rochester, New York. Li-Cycle’s Spoke facilities in North America will be the primary suppliers of Black Mass & Equivalents feedstock for the Rochester Hub. The location for the Rochester Hub was specifically selected due to the nature of the infrastructure available at the site, including utilities and road/rail networks.

Li-Cycle completed a definitive feasibility study for the Rochester Hub in December 2021. Based on the definitive feasibility study, Li-Cycle expects the Rochester Hub will have nameplate input capacity to process
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35,000 tonnes of Black Mass & Equivalents annually (equivalent to approximately 90,000 tonnes or 18 GWh of LIB equivalent feed annually). Based on the definitive feasibility study, the facility is expected to have an output capacity of battery grade materials of approximately 42,000 to 48,000 tonnes per annum of nickel sulphate, 7,500 to 8,500 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate and 6,500 to 7,500 tonnes per annum of cobalt sulphate.

Li-Cycle has engaged Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. as its engineering and procurement contractor for the Rochester Hub. Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. is also providing select construction management services such as onsite field engineering support and overall project scheduling for the project. Li-Cycle has engaged MasTec Inc. as its general contractor. Procurement activities are well advanced and have commenced on all equipment and select construction materials for the Rochester Hub. Site works and construction commenced on the Rochester Hub site in January 2022. The Rochester Hub has made significant progress to date on key engineering, procurement and construction milestones and is expected to initiate commissioning in stages in late 2023.

Li-Cycle has been granted a special use permit for hydrometallurgical facility operations, overall site plan approval, and a special use permit with an area variance for hazardous material storage tanks at the Rochester Hub by the Town of Greece, New York, all subject to certain conditions. Li-Cycle will continue to apply for construction-related building permits from the Town of Greece, as plans for specific structures become finalized. Li-Cycle completed the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act process for the Rochester Hub in November 2021. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYSDEC”) issued a state facility air permit for the expected emissions from the Rochester Hub in March 2022. A general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activity, and a related stormwater pollution prevention plan that meets criteria set forth by the NYSDEC, is also in place for the Rochester Hub. The remaining anticipated regulatory approvals required to complete and operate the Rochester Hub consist of the granting by the NYSDEC of a general permit for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activity, chemical bulk storage registrations, petroleum bulk storage registrations and an amendment to the state facility air permit.

Li-Cycle estimates that the Rochester Hub will require a total capital investment of approximately $486 million (+/-15%) based on the definitive feasibility study. Costs for the Rochester Hub are trending towards the higher end of the budgeted range, with spend to date of $178.4 million at March 31, 2023.

Li-Cycle expects that the Rochester Hub will result in a workforce of approximately 270 employees.

Spoke Network

Li-Cycle currently has four operational Spokes in North America: the Ontario Spoke, the New York Spoke, the Arizona Spoke and the Alabama Spoke. As of March 31, 2023 the Alabama Spoke was in the ramp-up phase. The Company is also continuing to add capacity to its Spoke network with new development and expansions, as described below.

The Company continues to innovate its Spoke technology with each Spoke roll out, incorporating upgrades and improvements from the development of the preceding Spokes. Since the build and installation of the Company’s first Spoke (the “Generation 1” Ontario Spoke in 2020), the Company has significantly evolved its Spoke design. The Ontario Spoke was a stick build format with a single shredder design. The Company’s next Spoke facility (the “Generation 2” New York Spoke) was a modular build with increased recovery rates, including added ancillary processing capacity. Both the Arizona Spoke and the Alabama Spoke are “Generation 3” Spokes and incorporate a modular build, multi-stage shredding with capabilities to shred full-pack EV batteries, further increases to recovery rates, and optionality for multiple main lines and flex capacity with ancillary processing.

The table below outlines current available Spoke capacity and additional 2023 expected Spoke capacity, by Spoke location:

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Ancillary Processing
Annual material processing capacity (in tonnes) Main Line¹Dry Shredding²Powder Processing³
Baling4
Total Processing Capacity
Ontario Spoke5,000 — — — 5,000 
New York Spoke5,000 5,000 3,000 5,000 18,000 
Arizona Spoke10,000 5,000 3,000 — 18,000 
Alabama Spoke10,000 — — — 10,000 
Current available capacity30,000 10,000 6,000 5,000 51,000 
Germany Spoke20,000 5,000 — 5,000 30,000 
2023 expected capacity50,000 15,000 6,000 10,000 81,000 
Notes
¹ Processes materials using Li-Cycle’s patented submerged shredding process or “wet shredding” specifically for battery materials that contain
electrolyte and have risk of thermal runaway.
² Processes materials that don’t contain electrolyte with less risk of thermal runaway, such as electrode foils.
³ Processes electrode powders to minimize dusting in downstream processes.
4 Processes electrode foils into formed cubes for optimizing logistics and downstream processing.

Germany Spoke

In 2022, Li-Cycle announced the development of a European Spoke to be based in Magdeburg, Germany, approximately 160 kilometers from Berlin. The Germany Spoke was planned to have an initial recycling capacity of at least 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year, with the first main line expected to be operational in mid-2023. To meet customer demand and increase cost efficiencies, Li-Cycle now plans to install a second main line with capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year in Germany by the end of 2023. In addition, the Germany Spoke is expected to have capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year for ancillary processing.

Norway Spoke

In 2022, Li-Cycle entered into a joint venture agreement with ECO STOR AS (“ECO STOR”) and Morrow Batteries AS (“Morrow”) to form Li-Cycle Norway AS for the purpose of constructing the Norway Spoke. Li-Cycle is the majority owner of Li-Cycle Norway AS, with ECO STOR and Morrow being minority owners and Nordic-headquartered strategic partners. The Norway Spoke will be a Generation 3 Spoke, expected to have a main line recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent). The Company has leased a site in Moss, Norway, approximately 60 kilometers from Oslo, for this operation, and the building is currently under construction. To prioritize the expansion plans for the Germany Spoke, the Company will initially use the Norway Spoke as a consolidation and warehouse facility, with the installation of a Generation 3 Spoke line and start of operations at this facility now planned for 2024.

France Spoke

In March 2023, Li-Cycle announced the development of a third European Spoke to be based in Northern France. The France Spoke will be a Generation 3 Spoke, and is expected to have main line recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year, with optionality to expand to up to 25,000 tonnes (5 GWh equivalent) per year. The Company expects the initial main line to be operational in 2024.

Other Spoke Updates

Li-Cycle completed improvements to its New York Spoke in November 2022 including upgrading the shredder and adding baling to supplement ancillary processing capacity. The New York Spoke now has variable capacity of up to 18,000 tonnes per year for processing a range of LIB feedstock types.

Li-Cycle is currently working on plans to develop an expanded Generation 3 Spoke and warehouse facility that will replace its existing Ontario Spoke. Li-Cycle expects initial site work to commence during 2023. The New Ontario Spoke is currently expected to have a main line recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) of LIB per year.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
Li-Cycle intends to meet its currently anticipated capital requirements through cash on hand, cash flow from operations, the DOE Loan (expected to close in Q2 2023), and additional ongoing fund-raising activities. Li-Cycle has no material debt maturities until September 29, 2026. As at March 31, 2023, the Company had $409.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand and convertible debt of $282.3 million.

The Company’s primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of its business, capital expenditures related to the development and construction of its Rochester Hub and new Spoke facilities, and general corporate purposes.

Li-Cycle expects that its capital investments and operating expenditures will continue to increase and will require funding, in connection with its ongoing activities and growth, as the Company: completes the development and construction of the Rochester Hub; progresses the development of the Spoke network; develops additional Hubs, including through joint ventures or other contractual arrangements; continues to invest in its technology, R&D efforts and the expansion of its intellectual property portfolio; obtains, maintains and improves its operational, financial and management information systems; and hires additional personnel.

The Company’s ability to fund its capital and operating expenditures, make scheduled debt payments and repay or refinance indebtedness depends on its future operating performance and cash flows, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond its control. Over the short to mid-term, Li-Cycle expects it will need to secure additional equity and debt financing to fund its growth strategy. Additional funds may not be available when the Company needs them on terms that are acceptable to the Company, or at all.

Cash Flows Summary
Presented below is a summary of Li-Cycle’s operating, investing, and financing cash flows for the periods indicated:
Three months ended
March 31,
$ millions20232022
Cash flows used in operating activities$(20.7)$(18.8)
Cash flows used in investing activities(86.3)(16.4)
Cash flows used in financing activities(1.7)(1.1)
Net change in cash$(108.7)$(36.3)

Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash flows used by operating activities were approximately $20.7 million, compared to $18.8 million in the corresponding period of 2022 reflecting the growth and expansion of Li-Cycle’s operations and commercial footprint. The cash flows used in operating activities were driven by an increase in raw material costs, as well as increased operating expenses including personnel costs and changes in non-cash working capital.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, cash flows used by operating activities were primarily driven by the growth of Li-Cycle’s operations and commercial footprint, which included increases in raw material costs, additional personnel costs, production costs from the ramp-up phase at the Alabama Spoke, R&D expenses, and consulting costs relating to the development of the Rochester Hub.

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Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash flows used in investing activities were $86.3 million, compared to $16.4 million in the corresponding period of 2022, and were primarily driven by the capital investment in the Rochester Hub and acquisition of equipment and construction materials for the Rochester Hub and the Germany Spoke. Cash flows used in investing activities in the prior year were for similar activities for the Rochester Hub and Arizona Spoke at a lesser scale.

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

Cash flows used in financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $1.7 million, compared to $1.1 million in the corresponding period of 2022, and were primarily related to lease repayments, consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Debt Obligations

KSP Convertible Notes

On September 29, 2021, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “KSP Note Purchase Agreement”) with Spring Creek Capital, LLC (an affiliate of Koch Strategic Platforms, LLC, being a company within the Koch Investments Group) and issued a convertible note (the “KSP Convertible Note”) in the principal amount of $100 million to Spring Creek Capital, LLC. The KSP Convertible Note will mature on September 29, 2026. Interest on the KSP Convertible Note is payable semi-annually, and Li-Cycle is permitted to pay interest on the KSP Convertible Note in cash or by payment in-kind (“PIK”), at its election. Interest payments made in cash are based on an interest rate of LIBOR plus 5.0% per year, and PIK interest payments are based on an interest rate of LIBOR plus 6.0% per year. Under the terms of the KSP Convertible Note, LIBOR has a floor of 1% and a cap of 2%. Once LIBOR interest rate is no longer published, the interest rate will instead be based on the sum of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and the average spread between the SOFR and LIBOR during the three-month period ending on the date on which LIBOR ceases to be published. The PIK election results in the issuance of a new note under the same terms as the KSP Convertible Note, issued in lieu of interest payments with an issuance date on the applicable interest date. The Company has elected to pay interest by PIK since the first interest payment date on the KSP Convertible Note of December 31, 2021. The KSP Convertible Note and the PIK notes issued thereunder are referred to collectively as the “KSP Convertible Notes”, and as at March 31, 2023, comprised the following:

NoteDate IssuedAmount Issued
KSP Convertible NoteSeptember 29, 2021$100.0 
PIK NoteDecember 31, 20211.8 
PIK NoteJune 30, 20224.1 
PIK NoteDecember 31, 20224.3 
Total$110.2 

On May 1, 2022, Spring Creek Capital, LLC assigned the KSP Convertible Note and the PIK note outstanding at that time to an affiliate, Wood River Capital, LLC. On May 5, 2022, the KSP Convertible Notes were amended to permit the issuance of the Glencore Convertible Note and to amend certain investor consent related provisions. The KSP Convertible Notes were further amended on February 13, 2023 to clarify the conversion calculation.

The principal and accrued interest owing under the KSP Convertible Notes may be converted at any time by the holder into the Company’s common shares, at a per share price equal to $13.43 (the “Conversion Price”). If the closing price per share of the Company’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange is above $17.46 for 20 consecutive trading days, then the Company may elect to convert the principal and accrued interest owing under the KSP Convertible Notes, plus a make-whole amount equal to the undiscounted interest payments that would have otherwise been payable through maturity (the “Make-Whole Amount”) into the Company’s common shares at the Conversion Price.

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The Company may redeem the KSP Convertible Notes at any time by payment in cash of an amount equal to 130% of the principal amount of the KSP Convertible Notes and all accrued interest owing under the KSP Convertible Notes, plus the Make-Whole Amount.

Glencore Convertible Note

On May 31, 2022, the Company issued to Glencore a convertible note in the aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million (the “Glencore Convertible Note”), in a transaction exempt from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Glencore Convertible Note matures five years from the date of issuance and interest on the Glencore Convertible Note is payable on a semi-annual basis, either in cash or by PIK, at the Company’s option. The Glencore Convertible Note accrues interest from the date of issuance at the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR for a tenor comparable to the relevant interest payment period plus 0.42826% (the “Floating Rate”) plus 5% per annum if interest is paid in cash and plus 6% per annum if interest is paid in PIK. The Floating Rate has a floor of 1% and a cap of 2%. The Company has elected to pay interest by PIK since the first interest payment date on the Glencore Convertible Note of November 30, 2022. The Glencore Convertible Note and the PIK notes issued thereunder are referred to collectively as the “Glencore Convertible Notes”, and as at March 31, 2023, comprised the following:

NoteDate IssuedAmount Issued
Glencore Convertible NoteMay 31, 2022$200.0 
PIK NoteNovember 30, 20228.1 
Total$208.1 


The principal and accrued interest owing under the Glencore Convertible Notes may be converted at any time by the holder into the Company’s common shares at a per share price equal to $9.95 (the “Conversion Price”), subject to adjustments. The Company may redeem the Glencore Convertible Notes at any time by payment of an amount in cash equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Glencore Convertible Notes and all accrued interest owing under the Glencore Convertible Notes. In connection with any optional redemption and provided that the holder of the Glencore Convertible Notes has not elected to convert the Glencore Convertible Notes into common shares following receipt of an optional redemption notice, the Company must issue warrants (the “Glencore Warrants”) to the holder of the Glencore Convertible Notes on the optional redemption date that entitle the holder to acquire, until the maturity date of the Glencore Convertible Notes, a number of common shares equal to the principal amount of the Glencore Convertible Notes being redeemed divided by the then applicable Conversion Price. The initial exercise price of the Glencore Warrants will be equal to the Conversion Price as of the optional redemption date.

The obligations of the Company to make any payment on account of the principal of and interest on the KSP Convertible Notes and the Glencore Convertible Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment and upon liquidation to the Company’s obligations to the holders of all current and future senior indebtedness of the Company. The Glencore Convertible Notes were amended on February 13, 2023 to clarify the conversion calculation.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes Li-Cycle’s contractual obligations and other commitments for cash expenditures as of March 31, 2023, and the years in which these obligations are due:

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Unaudited $ millions, undiscountedPayment due by period
Contractual ObligationsTotalLess than1 - 3 years3 - 5 yearsMore than
1 year5 years
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$53.5$53.5$$$
Lease liabilities76.88.415.913.439.1
Restoration provisions0.50.20.10.2
Convertible debt principal318.4318.4
Convertible debt interest127.7127.7
 Total as of March 31, 2023
$576.9 $62.1 $16.0 $459.5 $39.3 

As of March 31, 2023, there were $12.7 million in committed purchase orders or agreements for equipment and services, compared to $9.5 million as of December 31, 2022.

Li-Cycle expects to enter into premises leases for additional Spokes and Hubs in the twelve months following March 31, 2023.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Li-Cycle is exposed to various risks in relation to financial instruments. The main types of risks are currency risk and interest rate risk. While Li-Cycle may enter into hedging contracts from time to time, any change in the fair value of the contracts could be offset by changes in the underlying value of the transactions being hedged. Furthermore, Li-Cycle does not have foreign-exchange hedging contracts in place with respect to all currencies in which it does business.

Currency Risk

The Company is exposed to currency risk as its cash is mainly denominated in U.S. dollars, while its operations also require Canadian dollars and other currencies in addition to U.S. dollars. As at March 31, 2023, the impact of a 5% change in these respective currencies versus the U.S. dollar, would result in an immaterial impact.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk arising from the effect of changes in prevailing interest rates on the Company’s financial instruments. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk, as it has variable interest rate debt that includes an interest rate floor and cap.

Credit, liquidity, and market risks

Credit risks associated with cash are minimal as the Company deposits the majority of its cash with large Canadian and U.S. financial institutions above a minimum credit rating and with a cap on maximum deposits with any one institution. The Company’s credit risks associated with receivables are managed and exposure to potential loss is also assessed as minimal.

The Company’s revenue and accounts receivable primarily come from three key customers under long-term contracts. The Company manages this risk by engaging with reputable multi-national corporations in stable jurisdictions and performing a review of a potential customer’s financial health prior to engaging in business.

Management has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Company’s short-term, medium and long-term funding and liquidity requirements.

The Company is exposed to commodity price movements for the inventory it holds and the products it produces. Commodity price risk management activities are currently limited to monitoring market prices. The Company’s revenues are sensitive to the market prices of the constituent payable metals contained its products, notably cobalt and nickel.

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The following table sets out the Company’s exposure, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, in relation to the impact of movements in the cobalt and nickel price for the provisionally invoiced sales volume of Black Mass & Equivalents by metric tonne:

CobaltNickel
March 31, 2023December 31, 2022March 31, 2023December 31, 2022
BM&E Metric tonnes subject to fair value pricing adjustments4,359 4,428 4,359 4,428 
10% increase in prices$0.4$0.8$1.1$1.4
10% decrease in prices$(0.4)$(0.8)$(1.1)$(1.4)

The following table sets out the period end commodity prices for cobalt and nickel as at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

Market price per tonne
As atMarch 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Cobalt$35,935$41,337
Nickel23,050 30,400 
Capital risk management
The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Company will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to shareholders through the optimization of the debt and equity balance.

The capital structure of the Company consists of net cash (cash and cash equivalents after deducting convertible debt) and equity of the Company (comprising issued share capital and other reserves).

The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements as of March 31, 2023.


Key Factors Affecting Li-Cycle’s Performance

The Company believes that its performance and future success is dependent on multiple factors that present significant opportunities for Li-Cycle, but also pose significant risks and challenges, including those discussed below and in the section of the Annual Report entitled “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.”

Availability of Lithium-Ion Battery Materials for Recycling

Li-Cycle is reliant on obtaining lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap for recycling at its Spokes through its contracts with third-party suppliers. The Company maintains commercial contracts with leaders in the EV and LIB ecosystem, including battery manufacturers and automotive original equipment manufacturers, as well as energy storage, consumer electronics and transportation companies. Li-Cycle currently has over 150 suppliers of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap and expects to attract new suppliers by differentiating itself based on the sustainability of its process and the robustness of its technology, which in turn will enable Li-Cycle to offer competitive terms to suppliers.

Li-Cycle expects its supply pipeline to grow as suppliers increase volumes of batteries and manufacturing scrap available for recycling due to the continuing trend toward EVs, and as Li-Cycle continues to source additional supplier relationships. The Company’s commercial agreements with Glencore also provide for the procurement of battery material for its Spoke facilities, providing access to an additional source of supply to supplement the volumes it is independently sourcing. There can be no assurance that Li-Cycle will attract new suppliers or expand its supply pipeline from existing suppliers, and any decline in supply volume from existing suppliers or an inability to source new supplier relationships could have a negative impact on Li-Cycle’s results of operations and financial condition.

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Customer Demand for Recycled Materials

Li-Cycle currently recognizes revenue from, among other things, sales of two intermediate products produced at Li-Cycle’s Spokes: Black Mass & Equivalents and shredded metal. After the Rochester Hub becomes operational, and Li-Cycle starts processing black mass internally, Li-Cycle expects to recognize revenue from the sale of end products, including nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and lithium carbonate. The demand for Li-Cycle’s recycling services and products is driven in part by projected increases in the demand for EVs (including automobiles, e-bikes, scooters, buses and trucks) and other energy storage systems. A decline in the adoption rate of EVs, or a decline in the support by governments for “green” energy technologies could reduce the demand for Li-Cycle’s recycling services and products.

Li-Cycle relies on a limited number of customers from whom it generates most of its revenue. Li-Cycle has entered into two agreements with Traxys North America LLC (“Traxys”) covering the off-take of black mass from its Spokes in North America and certain specialty products from the Rochester Hub. Refer to the section titled “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview —our Broad and Diversified Intake and Off-Take Commercial Contracts” in the Annual Report. Li-Cycle has also entered into additional off-take agreements with Glencore, covering substantially all of its other Spoke and Hub products. If the Company's off-take partners are unwilling or unable to fulfil their contractual obligations to the Company, if either party fails to perform under the relevant contract, or if these off-take partners otherwise terminate these agreements prior to their expiration, the Company's business could suffer and Li-Cycle may not be able to find other off-take partners on similar or more favorable terms, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Fluctuations in Commodity Prices

The prices that Li-Cycle pays for battery feedstock for its Spokes, and the revenue that Li-Cycle currently recognizes from the sale of Black Mass & Equivalents and shredded metal produced at Li-Cycle’s Spokes, are impacted by the commodity prices for the metals contained in those battery feedstocks or products, notably nickel, cobalt and copper. As a result, fluctuations in the prices of these commodities will affect Li-Cycle’s costs and revenues. After the Rochester Hub becomes operational, and Li-Cycle starts processing black mass internally, Li-Cycle expects to recognize revenue from the sale of end products, including lithium carbonate, nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate. The amount of revenue that Li-Cycle will recognize from the sale of these end products will also be impacted by the commodity prices for the metals contained in these end products, notably lithium, nickel, and cobalt. While Li-Cycle’s costs and revenues may vary with commodity prices and specialty product prices, the Company believes the wide range of end products that Li-Cycle expects to produce will result in a diversification effect that will provide it with a natural hedge against significant variations in the commodity pricing related to a single product.

Ability to Build Out Additional Facilities

Li-Cycle’s continued growth is dependent on its ability to scale the business as currently planned, and build out additional facilities in North America and internationally. Li-Cycle has a market-leading position in North America through its operational Spokes in Kingston, Ontario, Rochester, New York, Gilbert, Arizona and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Li-Cycle is also advancing the construction of its first commercial Hub, in Rochester, New York. Li-Cycle has also announced its first European Spokes, in Germany and Norway, and is evaluating additional opportunities to scale its operations with a range of potential partners and expansion opportunities that may include acquisitions, joint ventures or other commercial arrangements in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

The development of Li-Cycle’s Rochester Hub, its Spoke network and other future projects is subject to risks, including engineering, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning and ramp-up, and Li-Cycle cannot guarantee that these projects will be completed within expected timeframes or at all, that costs will not be significantly higher than estimated, that it will have sufficient capital to cover any increased costs or that the completed projects will meet expectations with respect to their production rates, unit costs or specifications of their end products, among others. While the expansion of Li-Cycle’s business in international markets, including the construction and operation of the Germany Spoke, the Norway Spoke and the France Spoke is an important element
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of its strategy, but it also involves exposure to risks inherent in doing business globally, which could delay or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s expansion plans.

Global Supply Chain

The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have resulted in significant disruptions in the global supply chain. Shortages, price increases and/or delays in shipments of supplies, equipment and raw materials have occurred and may continue to occur in the future which may result in operational or construction slowdowns. Such disruptions to the global supply chain may have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s operations, development and construction activities and financial condition.

Research and Development

Li-Cycle continues to conduct R&D centered on various aspects of its business. R&D work is ongoing in support of its Spoke operations and its Rochester Hub project and is specifically focused on continuous optimization of operating parameters and preparation for operations. Li-Cycle also continues to develop and evaluate new concepts with an eye to the future, including solid-state battery processing and other technologies and concepts related to its Spoke & Hub Technologies™.

Related Party Transactions

For information about Li-Cycle’s related party transactions refer to Note 9 in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the section of the Annual Report entitled “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions.”

Outstanding Share Data
As of May 11, 2023 Li-Cycle had the following issued and outstanding common shares, and common shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt, exercise of stock options and settlement of restricted share units:
Number of common shares outstanding or issuable upon conversion or exercise
Common shares outstanding176,664,262 
Convertible debt 29,975,433 
Stock options5,277,845 
Restricted share units3,543,194 
Total215,460,734 

Summary of Quarterly and Transition Period Results

The table below sets forth certain summarized unaudited quarterly financial data for the eight most recently completed quarters and the two-month periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. This information has been
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prepared in accordance with IFRS. The operating results for any period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

Three Months endedTwo Months endedThree Months Ended
Unaudited $ millions, except per share dataMarch 31, December 31,October 31, July 31, April 30,
202320222022(Restated)2021202220212022¹202120222021
Revenues$3.6 $8.0 $5.9 $2.8 $3.0 $4.4 $(2.0)$1.7 $8.6 $0.2 
Net profit (loss)(39.4)(10.1)1.7 22.1 (33.9)(204.9)(27.5)(7.0)(20.8)(7.9)
Net profit (loss) attributable to:
Shareholders of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.(39.4)(10.1)1.7 22.1 (33.9)(204.9)(27.6)(7.0)(20.6)(7.9)
Non-controlling interest — — — — — (0.1)— — — 
Earnings (loss) per share, basic$(0.22)$(0.06)$0.01 $0.14 $(0.19)$(1.31)$(0.16)$(0.07)$(0.12)$(0.08)
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted$(0.22)$(0.06)$0.01 $0.13 $(0.19)$(1.31)$(0.16)$(0.07)$(0.12)$(0.08)
¹ The decrease in cobalt and nickel prices over the three months ended July 31, 2022 has resulted in fair value adjustment losses which exceed the new product sales revenue recognized in the period.

Li-Cycle became a reporting issuer for the purposes of Ontario securities laws on August 10, 2021. Over the eight most recently completed quarters and the two-month periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s results were primarily impacted by the continued development, construction and commissioning of its Spoke network; the development and construction of the Rochester Hub; and costs and expenses incurred in connection with its growth plan, including personnel and facilities costs and legal, audit and tax advisory services in support of the Company’s growth plans as a public company. The results were also impacted by costs and expenses incurred in connection with the completion of the business combination between Li-Cycle and Peridot Acquisition Corp. completed on August 10, 2021 (the “Business Combination”), including excess of fair value over consideration transferred of $152.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2021, and by fair value gain (loss) on financial instruments relating to warrants and convertible debt.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the periods presented, Li-Cycle did not have any relationships with unconsolidated organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities, which were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.
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Material Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates
Li-Cycle’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Revenue

The Company’s principal activities generate revenues from the operation of LIB recycling plants. The Company uses the following five step approach to revenue recognition:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

The Company recognizes revenue from the following major sources:
Services for recycling lithium-ion batteries which includes coordination of logistics and destruction of batteries; and
Sale of products which includes Black Mass & Equivalents and shredded metal.

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled under a contract with a customer. The Company recognizes revenue when it transfers control of a product or service to a customer. There are no significant financing components associated with the Company’s payment terms.

For sale of products, revenue is recognized when control of the goods has transferred, typically when the goods have been transferred to the customer. A receivable is recognized by the Company when the goods are transferred to the customer as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due. The Company estimates the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled under provisional pricing arrangements, which is based on the initial assay results and market prices of certain constituent metals on the date control is transferred to the customer. The final consideration for BM&E and shredded metal sales is based on the mathematical product of: (i) market prices of certain constituent metals at the date of settlement, (ii) product weight, and (iii) final assay results (ratio of the constituent metals initially estimated by management and subsequently trued up to customer confirmation). Certain adjustments like handling and refining charges are also made per contractual terms with customers. Depending on the contractual terms with customers, the payment of receivables may take up to 12 months from date of shipment. Product sales and the related trade accounts receivable are measured using provisional prices for the constituent metals on initial recognition and any unsettled sales are remeasured at the end of each reporting period using the market prices of the constituent metals at the respective measurement dates. Changes in fair value are recognized as an adjustment to product revenue and the related accounts receivable.

Recycling service revenue is recognized at a point in time upon completion of the services. The price for services is separately identifiable within each contract. A receivable is recognized by the Company when the services are completed as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due.

The Company has elected to use the practical expedient for financing components related to its sales contracts. The Company does not recognize interest expense on contracts for which the period between receipt of customer payments and sale to the customer is one year or less.

Convertible debt instruments

The components of convertible debt instruments issued by the Company are recorded as financial liabilities, in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definitions of a financial liability. The debt
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element of the instruments is classified as a liability and recorded as the present value of the Company’s obligation to make future interest payments in cash and settle the redemption value of the instrument in cash. The carrying value of the debt element is accreted to the original face value of the instruments, over their life, using the effective interest method. If the conversion option is classified as a liability and requires bifurcation, it is bifurcated as an embedded derivative unless the Company elects to apply the fair value option to the convertible debt. The embedded derivative liability is initially recognized at fair value and classified as derivatives in the statement of financial position. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability are subsequently accounted for directly through the income statement.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

From time to time, new accounting standards, amendments to existing standards, and interpretations are issued by the IASB. Unless otherwise discussed, and as further highlighted in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, Li-Cycle is in the process of assessing the impact of recently issued standards or amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Li-Cycle's management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 52-109, Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of March 31, 2023, its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, due to the material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting described below.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing, maintaining and assessing the effectiveness of adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act and Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 52-109, Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings. The Company’s ICFR is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.

Prior to August 10, 2021, Li-Cycle was a private company and addressed internal control over financial reporting with internal accounting and financial reporting personnel and other resources. In the course of preparing for the Business Combination, Li-Cycle identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of Li-Cycle’s annual or interim condensed consolidated interim financial statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As of March 31, 2023, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s ICFR based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO 2013 Framework”). Based on this assessment, management identified the following material weaknesses as of March 31, 2023:

an ineffective control environment, resulting from an insufficient number of experienced personnel with the appropriate technical training to allow for a detailed review of transactions that would identify errors in a timely manner;
an ineffective risk assessment process to identify all relevant risks of material misstatement and to evaluate the implications of relevant risks on its internal control over financial reporting, resulting from the insufficient number of experienced personnel described above;
an ineffective information and communication process to ensure the relevance, timeliness and quality of information used in control activities, resulting from: (i) insufficient communication of internal control
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information, including objectives and responsibilities; and (ii) ineffective general IT controls and controls over information from a service organization;
an ineffective monitoring process, resulting from the evaluation and communication of internal control deficiencies not being performed in a timely manner; and,
ineffective control activities related to the design, implementation and operation of process level controls and financial statement close controls, as a consequence of the above, which had a pervasive impact on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

As a result, management has concluded that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2023, based on the COSO 2013 Framework described above. These material weaknesses create a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement to the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Plan for Remediation of Material Weaknesses

Li-Cycle has taken steps to address these material weaknesses and continues to implement its remediation plan, which Li-Cycle believes will address the underlying causes. The Company has engaged external advisors with subject matter expertise and additional resources to provide assistance with all elements of the Company's internal control over financial reporting program, including: performance of a risk assessment; documentation of process flows; design and remediation of control deficiencies; and evaluation of the design and operational effectiveness of the Company's internal controls. Li-Cycle has also engaged additional external advisors to provide assistance in the areas of information technology and financial accounting. The Company continues to monitor the longer-term resource needs of its various financial functions, as the Company grows its capability, capacity, and competency. Li-Cycle has made some improvements to its various IT platforms, including our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system, and work on further upgrades is ongoing with the intent to further improve and enhance system functionality.

Although Li-Cycle has strengthened its controls in these areas as it continues to advance its remediation plan, the Company will not be able to conclude that it has remediated the material weaknesses until all relevant controls are fully implemented and have operated effectively for a sufficient period of time.

The Company will continue to provide updates as it progresses through its remediation plan.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

Except for the steps taken to address the material weaknesses in the Company’s ICFR as described above in “Plan for Remediation of Material Weakness”, no changes in the Company's ICFR occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's ICFR.

Non-IFRS Measures
The Company uses the non-IFRS measure of Adjusted EBITDA. Management believes that this non-IFRS measures provides useful information to investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company and is provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing a further understanding of the Company’s results of operations from management’s perspective. Adjusted EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and the term therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for the analysis of the Company’s financial information reported under IFRS.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before depreciation and amortization, interest expense (income), income tax expense (recovery) adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business and items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods. Adjustments relate to fair value (gains) losses on financial instruments and certain non-recurring expenses. Foreign exchange (gain) loss is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. The following table provides a reconciliation of net profit (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA loss.
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Three Months Ended
March 31,
Unaudited $ millions20232022
Net loss$(39.4)$(10.1)
Income Tax0.1 — 
Depreciation3.7 1.9 
Interest expense3.9 3.8 
Interest income(5.0)(0.2)
EBITDA (36.7)(4.6)
Non-recurring costs0.8 — 
Fair value (gain) loss on financial instruments¹0.7 (14.9)
Adjusted EBITDA (loss)$(35.2)$(19.5)
¹ Fair value (gain) loss on financial instruments relates to convertible debt, and to warrants, which were redeemed and no longer outstanding as of March 31, 2022.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this MD&A may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe”, “may”, “will”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “plan”, “potential”, “future”, “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this MD&A include but are not limited to statements about: anticipated growth in global demand for and production of lithium-ion batteries and the growth of related industries; the expectation that the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will help the Company as a U.S. domestic operator; the expectation that growing megafactory investments in North America and globally will drive significant increases in the Company’s total addressable market; Li-Cycle’s ability to capitalize on global growth opportunities; Li-Cycle’s expectation that it will attract new suppliers and that its supply pipeline will grow; the Company’s intention to pursue potential debt financing options from both traditional and government sources in support of future growth; Li-Cycle’s expectation that it will secure a loan of up to $375 million through United States Department of Energy Loan Programs Office Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program and that the transaction will close in Q2 2023; the expectation that the DOE Loan will build further balance sheet strength and liquidity in support of Li-Cycle’s future growth; the expectation to jointly study with Glencore plc the feasibility of, and later develop, a Hub facility in Portovesme, Italy to produce critical battery materials; the expectation regarding the completion of the definitive feasibility study; the expectations regarding the construction and commissioning of the Portovesme Hub, and its processing capacity, subject to a final investment decision; the expectation regarding the long-term financing from Glencore plc to fund Li-Cycle’s share of the capital investment in Portovesme Hub; Li-Cycle’s expectation to recognize revenue from the sale of end products; expected settlement dates for the metric tonnes of BM&E subject to fair value price adjustments; the Company’s plan to gradually shift to a strategy of retaining BM&E production for future internal use as feedstock at the Rochester Hub; the expectation that the Rochester Hub will produce battery grade lithium carbonate, among other battery grade materials, from Li-Cycle’s BM&E feedstock and that the sale of these finished products will unlock the additional metal value contained within Li-Cycle’s BM&E; the timing of expected commencement of commissioning of the Rochester Hub, its input and output capacities, its total capital cost and the expected size of its workforce; the expected timing and capital investment requirements for the Company’s Spokes in development and the expected main line processing capacity and ancillary processing capacity of the Germany, Norway, France and expanded Ontario Spokes; Li-Cycle’s expectation that it will enter into premises leases for additional Spokes and Hubs in the twelve months following March 31, 2023; Li-Cycle’s expectation that it will invest $35 million to $45 million towards its Spoke expansion plans in 2023 and that it will invest $250 million to $300 million towards the Rochester Hub project in 2023; Li-Cycle’s expectation regarding other capital expenditures in 2023; Li-Cycle’s expectation that its capital investments and operating expenditures will continue to increase and that it will need to secure additional equity and debt financing to fund its growth strategy; and Li-Cycle’s intention to meet its currently anticipated capital requirements through cash on hand, cash
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flow from operations, the DOE Loan (expected to close in Q2 2023), and additional ongoing fund-raising activities. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, including but not limited to assumptions regarding the timing, scope and cost of Li-Cycle’s projects; the processing capacity and production of Li-Cycle’s facilities; Li-Cycle’s ability to source feedstock and manage supply chain risk; Li-Cycle’s ability to increase recycling capacity and efficiency; Li-Cycle’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; Li-Cycle’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners; Li-Cycle’s ability to attract new suppliers or expand its supply pipeline from existing suppliers; general economic conditions; currency exchange and interest rates; compensation costs; and inflation. There can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct and, as a result, actual results or events may differ materially from expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding certain key elements of Li-Cycle’s current objectives, goals, targets, strategic priorities, expectations and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of Li-Cycle’s business and anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes and is not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Li-Cycle, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information. Li-Cycle believes that these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: Li-Cycle’s inability to economically and efficiently source, recover and recycle lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap, as well as third party black mass, and to meet the market demand for an environmentally sound, closed-loop solution for manufacturing waste and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries; Li-Cycle’s inability to successfully implement its global growth strategy, on a timely basis or at all; Li-Cycle’s inability to manage future global growth effectively; Li-Cycle’s inability to develop the Rochester Hub, and other future projects including its Spoke network expansion projects in a timely manner or on budget or that those projects will not meet expectations with respect to their productivity or the specifications of their end products; Li-Cycle’s failure to materially increase recycling capacity and efficiency; Li-Cycle may engage in strategic transactions, including acquisitions, that could disrupt its business, cause dilution to its shareholders, reduce its financial resources, result in incurrence of debt, or prove not to be successful; one or more of Li-Cycle’s current or future facilities becoming inoperative, capacity constrained or disrupted; additional funds required to meet Li-Cycle’s capital requirements in the future not being available to Li-Cycle on acceptable terms or at all when it needs them; Li-Cycle expects to continue to incur significant expenses and may not achieve or sustain profitability; problems with the handling of lithium-ion battery cells that result in less usage of lithium-ion batteries or affect Li-Cycle’s operations; Li-Cycle’s inability to maintain and increase feedstock supply commitments as well as secure new customers and off-take agreements; a decline in the adoption rate of EVs, or a decline in the support by governments for “green” energy technologies; decreases in benchmark prices for the metals contained in Li-Cycle’s products; changes in the volume or composition of feedstock materials processed at Li-Cycle’s facilities; the development of an alternative chemical make-up of lithium-ion batteries or battery alternatives; Li-Cycle’s revenues for the Rochester Hub are derived significantly from a single customer; Li-Cycle’s insurance may not cover all liabilities and damages; Li-Cycle’s heavy reliance on the experience and expertise of its management; Li-Cycle’s reliance on third-party consultants for its regulatory compliance; Li-Cycle’s inability to complete its recycling processes as quickly as customers may require; Li-Cycle’s inability to compete successfully; increases in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or disagreements with tax authorities; significant variance in Li-Cycle’s operating and financial results from period to period due to fluctuations in its operating costs and other factors; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates which could result in declines in reported sales and net earnings; unfavourable economic conditions, such as consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic; natural disasters, unusually adverse weather, epidemic or pandemic outbreaks, cyber incidents, boycotts and geo-political events; failure to protect or enforce Li-Cycle’s intellectual property; Li-Cycle may be subject to intellectual property rights claims by third parties; Li-Cycle’s failure to effectively remediate the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting that it has identified or its failure to develop and maintain a proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. These
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and other risks and uncertainties related to Li-Cycle’s business and the assumptions on which the forward-looking information is based are described in greater detail in the section entitled “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report, under “Key Factors Affecting Li-Cycle’s Performance” hereof and elsewhere in this MD&A. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Li-Cycle assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Li-Cycle’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this MD&A.




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