Altilium, a UK-based clean technology company, has officially opened its ACT 2 electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Plymouth, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to build a domestic, low-carbon battery materials supply chain. The facility is the UK’s first pilot plant dedicated to recovering critical battery metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt from end-of-life EV batteries.
The VIP opening ceremony drew more than 20 key investors and stakeholders, including senior executives from Marubeni Corporation, Mizuho Bank, the Japan Organisation for Metals & Energy Security (JOGMEC), the Embassy of Japan, and Export Development Canada, highlighting strong international collaboration in clean energy development. UK government and public sector representatives from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Innovate UK, Department of Business & Trade (DBT), National Wealth Fund (NWF), UK Export Finance, and Plymouth City Council also attended the event.
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Public funding from APC and Innovate UK played a vital role in the project’s development, supporting Altilium’s R&D and scaling up from early-stage innovation to commercialization. The 18,000-square-foot ACT 2 facility will validate Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process at pilot scale, enabling the production of large volumes of battery-grade materials for automotive partners. The process recovers over 95% of cathode metals with up to 74% lower emissions than traditional mining, according to the company.
“We’re honoured to welcome so many distinguished guests here today to witness pilot-scale battery materials recycling in the UK,” said Dr. Christian Marston, Chief Operating Officer of Altilium. “ACT 2 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team and the unwavering support of our partners, who share our vision for a more sustainable future. Together, we’re showcasing how UK industrial policy, combined with public and private finance, can deliver the clean industries of the future.”
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The commissioning of ACT 2 represents a key step in Altilium’s roadmap toward large-scale recycling operations. The company’s ACT 3 commercial-scale facility is already under construction in Plymouth, while plans for an ACT 4 mega-scale recycling and cathode active materials (CAM) production plant are underway — a project expected to create more than 250 skilled jobs.
By producing domestic supplies of key materials, Altilium aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported raw resources, enhance supply chain resilience, and support the country’s net zero transition. The project also strengthens clean energy cooperation between the UK and Japan, following Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Bank’s joint investment in Altilium during its Series B funding round in January 2025.