Summary
- Altilium to supply Talga with up to 16,000 tonnes of recycled graphite over three years starting in 2026
- Talga developing recycled graphite anodes due to increased demand and restrictions on graphite exports from China
- Altilium’s EcoAnode process can recover 99% of graphite from end-of-life EV batteries
- Altilium’s planned battery recycling in Teesside to recover 20,000 tonnes of graphite annually by 2030
- Talga’s planned Luleå refinery to produce 19,500 tonnes of battery anode material per year, equivalent to 16 GWh of battery capacity
Article
UK battery recycling firm Altilium has entered into an agreement with Australia-based company Talga to supply them with graphite for use in EV battery products. Altilium plans to supply Talga with up to 16,000 tonnes of recycled graphite over a three-year period starting in 2026. This partnership comes in response to the increasing demand for graphite due to China’s restrictions on graphite exports, which has created a need for alternative sources of high-quality graphite for lithium-ion battery production.
Talga is in the process of building a natural graphite anode refinery in Sweden and is also developing a recycled graphite anode product to meet the growing demand for EV batteries. With over 90% of the world’s graphite being refined in China and the restrictions imposed by the country, the reliance on recycling methods to secure graphite supplies from outside China has become essential for the industry. Altilium’s EcoAnode process is capable of recovering 99% of graphite from end-of-life EV batteries, showcasing the potential for sustainable sourcing of materials for battery production.
Recent tests have shown that the recycled graphite from Altilium matches the purity and physical characteristics of primary sources, making it a viable alternative for use in battery anodes. The partnership between Altilium and Talga signifies a commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of battery production. Altilium’s planned battery recycling plant in Teesside is set to have a capacity to recover 20,000 tonnes of graphite annually by 2030, meeting a significant portion of the UK’s demand for graphite. On the other hand, Talga’s Luleå refinery will be producing 19,500 tonnes of battery anode material per year, equivalent to 16 GWh of battery capacity, which will be able to power approximately 270,000 electric vehicles annually.
Overall, the collaboration between Altilium and Talga highlights the importance of sustainable practices in the battery industry and the need for alternative sources of critical materials like graphite. By utilizing recycling methods to recover graphite from end-of-life batteries, both companies are contributing to a more environmentally friendly approach to battery production. With China’s restrictions on graphite exports driving the demand for alternative sources, partnerships like this one are a step towards securing a stable and sustainable supply chain for the lithium-ion battery industry.
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