Summary
- Altilium produced recycled battery cathode active materials comparable to commercial materials
- EcoCathode process can recover over 95% of critical metals from spent batteries
- Results showed recycled CAM had comparable rate and cycle performance with commercial CAM
- Cycle cell capacity of recycled CAM aligns closely with commercial CAM
- Altilium is working with UKBIC to produce battery cells using recycled CAM for validation with an automotive OEM
Article
Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group, has successfully produced recycled battery cathode active materials (CAM) that are comparable to commercially available materials. The company’s EcoCathode process is able to recover more than 95% of critical metals, including lithium, from spent batteries, which are then upcycled and re-engineered to create new battery chemistry materials. This process showcases the sustainability benefits of using recycled materials without compromising on performance.
Results from electrochemical cycle testing of cells produced from Altilium’s recycled CAM at its ACT1 facility in Devon have demonstrated comparable rate and cycle performance with commercially available CAM used in nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) 811 batteries. The cycle cell capacity of Altilium’s recycled CAM reached 193 mAh.g⁻¹ during testing, aligning closely with the typical range of 190-194 mAh.g⁻¹ for commercial CAM. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the structure of the CAM remains indistinguishable from commercial variants, further validating its performance.
The recycled CAM was developed as part of a collaborative research project supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC23). Altilium is now collaborating with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) to produce battery cells using recycled CAM for validation with an automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). This partnership highlights the potential for integrating recycled materials into the production of new batteries, showcasing the feasibility and effectiveness of sustainable practices within the industry.
Christian Marston, Altilium’s co-founder and COO, emphasized the significance of the results obtained from using recycled battery metals. Marston stated that the performance of recycled materials matches that of virgin metals, indicating that critical minerals are essentially the same whether they are sourced from a mine or an old electric vehicle (EV) battery. This showcases the potential for utilizing recycled materials without compromising on performance, while also delivering additional sustainability benefits.
The successful development of recycled battery cathode active materials by Altilium represents a significant step towards advancing sustainable practices in the production of batteries. By demonstrating comparable performance to commercially available materials, Altilium has showcased the viability of using recycled materials in battery manufacturing. Collaboration with industry partners such as the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre further validates the potential for integrating recycled materials into the production process, highlighting the importance of sustainability in the energy storage industry.
Overall, Altilium’s achievement in producing recycled battery cathode active materials that match the performance of commercial counterparts underscores the importance of sustainability and innovation in the clean technology sector. Through the EcoCathode process, the company has shown that recycled materials can offer the same level of performance as virgin materials, paving the way for a more sustainable approach to battery production. The successful testing and collaboration with industry partners further solidify the potential for integrating recycled materials into the supply chain, signaling a significant shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
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