Company Overview

About

Founded in 2019, at Princeton University, our journey began with a singular focus: to redefine lithium-ion battery recycling. Armed with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability, we set out to disrupt the industry norms.

At PNE, innovation is in our DNA. Our patented low-temperature plasma-assisted separation process (LPAS™) is the cornerstone of our approach, enabling us to transform various sources of lithium-ion batteries into premium-grade cathode and anode materials. This groundbreaking method not only ensures top-tier quality but also achieves recycling efficiency rates exceeding 95%.

We are driven by a deeper purpose — to lead the industry toward a stronger, more resource-conscious future. With every battery recycled, we are not just reducing waste; we are preserving valuable materials and lowering environmental impact.

Our Mission

Our mission is clear: to deliver a cost-efficient, advanced solution to the current industry pain points of high operational costs and low efficiency in battery recycling. We address these challenges by enhancing recycling efficiency and material recovery, thereby redefining the lithium-ion battery recycling landscape.

With a focus on leveraging global growth in electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery markets, our technology creates new opportunities to recycle batteries with higher efficiency, greater cost-effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact.

By driving the next generation of transportation and enabling large-scale energy storage for the nation’s power needs, we are reshaping the industry and building a resilient energy future.

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Our Responsibility

Efficiency is our guiding principle. Through innovative technologies like LPAS™ plasma treatment and MSAL™ surface rejuvenation, we've achieved a nearly 70% reduction in water and energy usage compared to traditional methods, while also restoring battery materials directly on-site.

Our ongoing goal is to integrate on-site power solutions, forge local energy partnerships, and adopt advanced generation sources to reach net-zero. We strive to deliver new cathode and anode materials at half the cost, while further reducing waste. Grounded in transparency and integrity, we are dedicated to leading the way toward a stronger and more resilient energy future.

Our Team

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Dr. Chao Yan

Co-Founder and CEO

Research Scientist in Princeton University.

Co-inventor of direct recycling of lithium batteries technology.

Over 30+ high impact publications and 40+ conference presentations in energy field. Expert in physical chemistry and battery materials.

Serial entrepreneur since 2014. Experienced in business administration and operation. Passionate in both science and business.

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Dr. Bruce E. Koel


Co-Founder / Advisor-Technology

Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University.

Leading expert in the field of materials and surface science with 40+ years experience.



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T. Joseph Fisher, III 

Chief Commercial Officer 
Joe Fisher is a global business leader with decades of executive experience in the battery and energy storage industry. Over a 30-year career at Energizer Holdings, he led international operations in Argentina, South Africa, and Spain, and served in senior global roles including President of Energizer Power Systems and VP/GM of Rechargeables. He subsequently held executive positions at Contour Energy Systems, Valence Technologies, and A123 Systems.

In 2017, he co-founded Lithium Werks, serving as CEO, driving strategic acquisitions, and leading the company through its sale to Reliance Industries in 2024.

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Dr. Xiaofang Yang

Co-Founder and CTO

Former Senior Scientist of Brookhaven National Lab, Princeton University and Columbia University.

25+ years research in energy materials, fuel cells, and lithium-ion materials and has over 40+ high impact papers.

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Joseph Park

CFO
Former CFO & CSO, and Head of Global Strategy at SK On 

 30 years proven track records in driving growth, including key leadership roles at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley  


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Peng Zhao

COO
Former Senior Manager at Panasonic Corporation of North America with over 10 years of experience leading global teams across the U.S., Australia, China, and Mexico. He has a strong track record in technology commercialization, from business development and pilot programs to mass production and global operations. He led major deployment projects across various industries and was named 2024 COO of the Year by the Operations Council™. Mr. Zhao holds a Master’s degree from NJIT, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, and completed the Global C-Suite Program at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.

Certified Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt and PMP®.

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Stephen Snyder

CSO

Former Managing Partner with Accenture with 30+ years of technology, business launch, strategy experience in the utility generation/distribution, nuclear and telecom, as well as high-tech sectors across US, Greater China, North Asia, Europe. Executive-in-Residence at Princeton University and Board member with the Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College.

Board member and Treasurer of New York Angels and former partner with the Clean Energy Venture Group (CEVG). Board advisor for 5+ active and successful Princeton University spinouts and other companies within the energy, high-tech, electronics, and manufacturing domains.

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Janet Robertson

Director of Government Affairs and Communications

Former U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officer (ret.) serving in Washington, D.C., New Jersey and at the U.S. Embassy, Beijing, China where she worked closely with U.S. companies, federal and state leadership and economic development teams, and led SelectUSA for Mission China.

Over 25 years in private sector international business development and global marketing executive roles in the Fortune 100 (Sony), new technologies (Panamsat, Healthscape) and non-profit sector (Sesame Workshop).

Ms. Robertson holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from Tufts University.

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Joey Qiao

CMEO

Joey brings over 15 years of manufacturing experience in the global energy sector, having led three U.S. greenfield solar plants totaling 3 GW/year that each achieved profitability within their first year. At Koch Industries, he supported 1.2 GWh of renewable and battery storage projects valued at $220 million. His expertise spans permitting, FEL, EHS, engineering, EPC, operations, and supply chain management, reinforced by strong ties to mature overseas manufacturing ecosystems.

 In 2025, Joey managed South Carolina’s first 7,000 TPA shredding line from site selection to full production in just nine months.

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Shawn Turner

VP, Strategic Partnerships

35 years of experience in consultative sales, product marketing, and program management in collaborative manufacturing solutions and the Li-ion rechargeable battery industry. Nearly 20 years in Japan leading international sales. Most recently, led Panasonic’s e-mobility sales strategy for new business with venture EV OEMs.

Former Marine.

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Arsalan Khan

Marketing Manager

Former Marketing Analyst with Penn Power Group, over 8 years of experience and knowledge of B2B and Digital Marketing in the renewable energy industry.

Arsalan has worked with various Fortune 500 companies including Google — successfully launching Chromebooks in various markets.

B.S in Marketing

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Advisory Board

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Richard Mroz

Founding Director of Resolute Strategies and Senior Director at Archer Public Affairs, specializes in energy and cybersecurity. He has held key roles, including President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Chairman of the NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee. He serves on the USDOE Electric Advisory Committee. 

Mr. Mroz is NACD Director Certified and has decades of experience in regulatory and corporate governance.

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Sean T. Walsh

Advisor - Government

Principal at Wilson Walsh, advisor to the World Affairs Councils of America, with 30+ years in federal and state government


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H.P. Goldfield

Advisor - Legal / Industrial

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Associate Counsel to POTUS (1982-1983), and international trade expert


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David R. Hill

Advisor - DOE / Grid / Legal  

David R. Hill is an attorney with extensive energy experience. He has co-headed the Global Energy practice at Sidley Austin LLP, served as General Counsel of the US Department of Energy, and was Vice President and General Counsel at NRG Energy, Inc. 

Currently, he is vice chairman of the board at NYISO and a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy.

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Min Sung

Advisor-Industrial

Former Chief Commercial Officer at SK On and the CEO of Hanon Systems.

 Over 25 years of experience in working with leading global automotive companies across the US, China, and Korea.


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Peter Ort

Financial Advisor

Previously a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and Karsch Capital. General Partner at Cambium Capital.


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Richard Hsu

Senior Advisor

Senior Vice President at Panasonic R&D Company of America, Mr. Hsu brings over 25 years of engineering and business expertise in B2B and enterprise solutions. He is dedicated to driving innovation, commercialization, and strategic growth. 

Previously, he has held prominent leadership positions at Panasonic Corp of North America, including Vice President of the Innovation Center and Global Solutions & Engineering.


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Masafumi Koike

Senior Advisor - Japan

Masafumi Koike is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in capital markets and strategic advisory. With over 20 years at Goldman Sachs Japan, he served as Managing Director of the Natural Resources Group, playing a pivotal role in leading major IPOs, public offerings, and M&A transactions.


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Our Locations
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Corporate Headquarters
1200 Florence Columbus Rd.
Columbus, NJ 08022
Advanced Materials Pilot & Testing Service Center
11 Deer Park Dr., Ste. 120
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
LIB Commercial Recycling Facility
564 Ecology Ln.
Chester, SC 29706
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2101 Couch Dr.
McKinney, TX 75069