Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group dedicated to advancing the transition to net zero, has successfully produced the country’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery cells using recycled cathode active materials (CAM). This achievement took place at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry, marking a significant milestone in the development of a circular economy for EV batteries.
The newly manufactured pouch cells utilized Altilium’s recycled EcoCathode™ NMC 811-2036 CAM, which is produced at the company’s recycling facilities in Devon. By extracting critical metals from end-of-life EV batteries and Gigafactory waste, Altilium is minimizing the UK’s dependence on imported raw materials and reducing the carbon footprint associated with battery manufacturing, thereby enhancing the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.
These battery cells are set to undergo extensive validation studies in collaboration with a leading automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This partnership aims to support the OEM’s regulatory and sustainability objectives. Altilium’s cells are the first in the UK to comply with the European Union’s Battery Regulations, which mandate that new EV batteries sold in the EU contain minimum levels of recycled lithium, nickel, and cobalt starting in 2031, with further increases required by 2036.
The recycling process employed by Altilium begins with the dismantling and shredding of used EV batteries to produce a fine powder known as black mass. This black mass is then processed using the EcoCathode™ method, which recovers over 95% of essential battery metals, including lithium. The recovered cathode metals are upcycled to create high-nickel NMC 811 CAM, suitable for reuse in new batteries.
Dr. Christian Marston, Altilium’s co-founder and COO, stated, “This milestone marks the first time full battery circularity has been achieved in the UK. By recovering critical minerals from end-of-life EV batteries and upcycling them into high-performance cathodes, we are ensuring that these materials remain within the domestic supply chain, positioning the UK as a leader in sustainability and decarbonization.”
Ameir Mahgoub, Head of Product Engineering at UKBIC, added, “We are proud to support the creation of the UK’s first battery cells made from recycled materials. This project paves the way for the UK to reduce its reliance on imported materials and develop a new market for recycled EV batteries.”
Altilium is planning to scale its operations with the ACT4 recycling plant in Teesside, which will have the capacity to produce 30,000 tonnes of CAM annually, meeting nearly 20% of the UK’s demand by 2030. Independent analyses by Imperial College London and Minviro have demonstrated that Altilium’s recycled materials not only match or exceed the performance of virgin mined materials but also significantly reduce the environmental impact and costs associated with battery production.
Source: Altilium
