Altilium, a UK-based lithium-ion battery recycler, has made a significant leap in sustainable battery manufacturing. The company produced electric vehicle (EV) battery cells using recycled cathode active materials (CAM) at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC). This achievement marks the first time recycled materials have been used to create new EV battery cells at an industrial scale in the UK.
Advancing Sustainable Battery Manufacturing
At UKBIC’s Coventry facility, Altilium produced the battery cells using its EcoCathode NMC 811-2036 CAM. The material comes from end-of-life EV batteries and gigafactory waste, processed at Altilium’s recycling plants in Devon. By recovering these critical metals, Altilium reduces the UK’s reliance on imported raw materials. The company also lowers the carbon footprint of battery production.
Altilium’s efforts align with the UK’s goal of promoting a competitive and sustainable battery industry. The company recycles key materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. This process not only helps the UK stay competitive in the clean energy sector but also contributes to the circular economy by reusing materials for high-performance cathodes in new battery cells.
Meeting Regulatory Standards and Sustainability Goals
Altilium’s battery cells will undergo validation with an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These tests will help meet industry sustainability and regulatory targets. According to the European Union’s Battery Regulations, new EV batteries sold in the EU must include a certain amount of recycled lithium, nickel, and cobalt by 2031. The regulations will increase these requirements by 2036.
Christian Marston, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Altilium, discussed the importance of this milestone. “This achievement marks the first time full battery circularity has been realized in the UK. We are recovering minerals like lithium and transforming them into high-performance cathodes. This helps drive decarbonization and sustainability,” he said. Marston also emphasized how the collaboration with UKBIC advances the domestic supply chain and moves beyond the initial stages of black mass recycling.
The Future of Battery Recycling in the UK
Altilium’s recycling process starts with dismantling end-of-life EV batteries, creating black mass. This material is then processed through the EcoCathode technology, recovering over 95% of critical battery metals, including lithium. These recovered metals are then upcycled into high-nickel NMC 811 CAM for reuse in new EV battery production.
Ameir Mahgoub, Head of Product Engineering at UKBIC, shared his excitement: “This pioneering project could mark the beginning of the UK reducing its reliance on imported materials. It could also create new markets for recycled EV batteries. We are eager to continue working with Altilium to drive this innovative project forward.”
Altilium’s work sets the stage for a greener future. The company ensures that critical battery materials remain in the UK’s domestic supply chain. This effort helps reduce environmental impacts and accelerates the transition to a circular economy.
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