The RECOVAS consortium, led by EMR and supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre since November 2020, has completed the UK’s first circular supply chain for end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. Over four years, this multi-partner initiative—including leading automakers, recyclers, academic institutions, and technology providers—has developed and demonstrated processes for battery reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling.
On May 7, project partners convened at EMR’s new battery recycling facility in Birmingham to mark the project’s conclusion. EMR’s multimillion-pound investment has delivered a state-of-the-art plant capable of processing 2,000 tonnes of EV batteries per year and creating 14 full-time roles. Automotive participants BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, and Bentley Motors collaborated to issue design guidelines aimed at ensuring future EV models facilitate reuse and recycling from the outset. Autocraft Drivetrain Solutions introduced a mobile triage and remanufacturing unit equipped with rapid battery-testing capabilities, while Connected Energy established a robust business case for repurposing second-life batteries in utility-scale energy storage applications.
Academic contributions from WMG at the University of Warwick focused on recovering lithium and other critical metals from “black mass” – the shredded powder generated during battery recycling – and refining cell-level triage methods. The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre performed comprehensive life cycle assessments and economic analyses, and HSE Science evaluated health and safety risks associated with battery shredding operations, providing practical guidance to all consortium members.
Although the formal RECOVAS programme has ended, the partnerships and technical insights it generated will continue to inform the UK’s approach to sustainable battery management amid uncertainties in virgin raw materials supply. On May 1, RECOVAS received the 2025 Resource and Waste Management Partnership of the Year award in recognition of its collaborative achievements and environmental impact. By delivering a replicable blueprint for battery circularity, RECOVAS has laid the groundwork for a more resource-efficient and resilient electric vehicle industry in the years ahead.
Source: EMR Group Latest News
