Altilium, a UK clean technology group, hosted a delegation of more than 20 investors and stakeholders for the VIP opening of its ACT 2 electric vehicle battery recycling facility in Plymouth, marking the nation’s first pilot plant dedicated to the sustainable recovery of critical battery materials from end-of-life EV batteries. Attendees included senior representatives from Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Bank, foundation investors, alongside delegates from the Japan Organisation for Metals & Energy Security (JOGMEC), the Embassy of Japan, and Export Development Canada, highlighting international collaboration in the clean energy transition.
UK government and public sector bodies were also in attendance, including the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Innovate UK, the Department for Business and Trade, the National Wealth Fund, UK Export Finance, and Plymouth City Council. Public funding from the APC and Innovate UK was instrumental in advancing Altilium’s research, development, and scale-up efforts, bridging the gap between early-stage innovation and commercial application to support the construction of the ACT 2 facility.
During a tour of the 18,000-square-foot site, the delegation met with Altilium’s leadership team and observed piloted recycling processes that will produce battery-grade samples for further validation by automotive original equipment manufacturers. The company also outlined plans for its upcoming ACT 3 commercial-scale facility and a future ACT 4 mega-scale plant designed to expand recycling and cathode active materials production, which is expected to create over 250 highly skilled jobs.
ACT 2 builds on the success of Altilium’s ACT 1 Technology Centre by validating proprietary processes at pilot scale. Its EcoCathode™ process is reported to recover more than 95% of key cathode metals, including lithium, nickel, and cobalt, while reducing emissions by up to 74% compared to conventional mining methods. Materials recovered at ACT 1 have already been incorporated into prototype EV battery cells for OEM testing.
By establishing a domestic supply of critical battery materials, Altilium aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported raw materials, enhance resource efficiency, and support the government’s industrial strategy and net zero objectives. The event further underscored deepening ties between the UK and Japan in clean energy innovation following joint investments from Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Bank in Altilium’s Series B funding round.
Source: Altilium Tech
