Summary
- Altilium is building a new EV battery recycling plant in Plymouth
- The facility will use EcoCathode technology to recycle lithium-ion batteries from EVs
- Altilium’s process can recover critical metals needed for new EV batteries
- The plant can process scrap from over 150,000 EVs per year, producing 30,000 MT of CAM
- The company’s EcoCathode process has been independently validated and proven to recover over 95% of cathode metals
Article
UK-based company Altilium is expanding its operations by building a new electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling plant in Plymouth. This 18,000-square-foot facility will utilize Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode technology to recycle old lithium-ion batteries from EVs and extract critical metals necessary for the production of new EV batteries. Situated in Plymouth’s Estover Industrial Estate, the new plant is set to commence operations by the end of the year. The company’s EcoCathode recycling process transforms end-of-life EV batteries and manufacturing scrap into battery precursors, cathode active materials (CAM), and cathode precursors (pCAM) that can be directly reused in new batteries.
With the capacity to process scrap from over 150,000 EVs annually, the new plant is expected to generate 30,000 metric tons of CAM. Altilium has stated that its EcoCathode process has been verified independently by the University of Plymouth and successfully demonstrated in a scaled-up pilot operation, recovering over 95% of cathode metals from waste EV batteries in a form that can be readily used in battery manufacturing. The company collaborates with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as JLR and Nissan to establish a circular economy for battery materials within the UK. The Southwest of England is becoming a hub for battery-related activities, with lithium mining occurring in Cornwall and the construction of a major gigafactory in Somerset.
Altilium’s EcoCathode technology plays a pivotal role in sustainable battery recycling by enabling the recovery of critical metals from end-of-life EV batteries. The company’s new plant in Plymouth, utilizing this innovative technology, is poised to process a substantial amount of scrap from EVs, which in turn will contribute to the production of battery precursors and active materials for new EV batteries. By recycling old lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap, Altilium aims to reduce waste and promote the reuse of valuable resources in the battery supply chain. The partnership with OEMs like JLR and Nissan demonstrates Altilium’s commitment to establishing a circular economy for battery materials in the UK, fostering a sustainable approach to battery production and recycling.
The University of Plymouth’s independent validation of Altilium’s EcoCathode process underscores the effectiveness and reliability of the technology in recovering cathode metals from waste EV batteries. Altilium’s successful pilot operations have demonstrated the ability to recover over 95% of these critical metals, providing a sustainable source of materials for battery manufacturing. By directly reusing these recovered metals in the production of new batteries, Altilium minimizes the environmental impact of battery production and contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy. The company’s collaboration with leading OEMs in the development of a circular economy for battery materials further enhances the impact of its recycling efforts and sets a precedent for sustainable practices in the EV industry.
The construction of Altilium’s new EV battery recycling plant in Plymouth represents a significant step towards achieving the company’s growth plans and expanding its footprint in the sustainable battery recycling industry. With the capacity to process a large volume of scrap from EVs and produce battery precursors for new EV batteries, the plant is poised to make a substantial impact on reducing waste and promoting the reuse of critical materials in the battery supply chain. As the Southwest of England emerges as a battery hotspot with lithium mining activities and gigafactory construction, Altilium’s presence in the region contributes to the development of a sustainable and environmentally conscious ecosystem for battery production and recycling. Through its innovative EcoCathode technology and partnerships with OEMs, Altilium is driving the transition towards a circular economy for battery materials in the UK, setting a precedent for sustainable practices in the EV industry and beyond.
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