EMR, a global leader in sustainable materials, has opened its first UK-based electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling centre at its Birmingham facility. The new centre aims to enhance EMR’s mission to establish a circular supply chain for EV batteries, which are crucial for the automotive industry’s transition to net zero emissions.
This marks EMR’s second facility dedicated to EV battery recycling. In 2024, the company inaugurated a site in Hamburg, Germany, in partnership with Northvolt, one of Europe’s largest battery manufacturers.
The Birmingham facility was officially opened on 18 September during a ceremony attended by prominent figures in the automotive sector, including partners from the RECOVAS consortium such as Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, and BMW. The event highlighted a significant advancement for the UK’s EV industry and showcased EMR’s ongoing commitment to sustainable solutions.
With the capacity to handle over 2,000 tonnes of batteries annually, the centre will assess batteries for reuse or repair and process those ready for recycling. Initial battery sources include product recalls, warranty failures, and end-of-life e-bikes and e-scooters. The facility aims to recover valuable materials like cobalt, lithium, and nickel, contributing to the conservation of critical resources.
As the UK’s largest end-of-life vehicle recycler, EMR has invested in this multi-million-pound plant to address the challenges of battery recycling. The initiative follows the company’s involvement in the RECOVAS consortium, a collaborative research and development project launched in 2020 with funding from the Department for Business and Trade via the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC). The project’s goal is to develop the UK’s first commercial-scale recycling facility for automotive battery packs.
Chris Sheppard, Chief Executive of EMR, commented: “This is an exciting new chapter in EMR’s history. The Birmingham facility ensures we remain at the forefront of sustainability, innovation, and technology. By creating a circular supply chain for EV batteries, we support the UK’s transition to net zero and set a benchmark for the rapidly evolving industry.”
Julian Hetherington, Automotive Transformation Director at the APC, added: “The opening of EMR’s battery recycling facility is a significant step forward in the UK’s EV journey. By recycling and remanufacturing batteries, EMR addresses key challenges in the EV supply chain, helping to secure a sustainable future for electric mobility.”
Helen Waters, Head of Electric Battery Recycling at EMR, stated: “Transitioning to EVs is one of the most exciting developments in automotive history and essential for achieving net zero. Establishing an effective circular supply chain for EV batteries is crucial, and this new facility is a substantial step toward that goal. Safety and environmental protection are central to our approach, and our team uses advanced systems to safely discharge cells prior to recycling.”
She noted that while the shift to EVs is accelerating, it will be 10 to 15 years before they arrive at EMR facilities in large quantities. “The opening of this new facility demonstrates that EMR is proactively addressing future challenges today,” Waters concluded.
Source: European Metal Recycling
