Li-Cycle, a Toronto-based battery-recycling tech company, had partnered with mining giant Glencore to study the feasibility of building Europe’s largest source of recycled nickel, cobalt and battery-grade lithium. But the local government in Italy said Friday it would not put the project on its fast-tracked approval timeline. (Reuters)

Talking point: Li-Cycle has been on a tear in Europe, opening a new plant in Germany last week and citing its rapid establishment in Italy as evidence of its “first mover advantage” on the continent. But Glencore told Reuters it may consider other options if delays in the approval process make the project “economically unviable.” Sardinia’s regional government did not comment to Reuters on the project. But it’s one of many jurisdictions weighing the pros and cons of manufacturing deals in the electric-vehicle sector amid public skepticism of cleantech projects, including battery plants.