Altilium, a UK-based clean technology company, has commenced construction on the country’s first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Plymouth, Devon. This new facility, designed with integrated chemical refining capabilities, will focus on recovering critical battery minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite from up to 24,000 EVs annually. The plant aims to support the development of a domestic battery recycling ecosystem and contribute to the UK’s transition to net-zero emissions.
The facility, known as the ACT 3 scale-up plant, will use Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process to recycle battery scrap into important intermediate materials, including Nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) and Lithium Sulphate. These materials are necessary for the production of battery cathodes used in electric vehicle batteries. The development is part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance the UK’s capacity for sustainable and circular battery material production.
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Dr. Christian Marston, Chief Operating Officer of Altilium, stated, “The ACT 3 site marks an important step in our efforts to close the loop on battery materials in the UK. We are focused on developing this facility in Plymouth, which will contribute to the UK’s battery supply chain.” The plant will also play a key role in Altilium’s future plans for a larger-scale ACT 4 refinery, which is expected to be developed later in the decade.
Unlike traditional UK battery recycling methods, which have focused on shredding and black mass production, Altilium’s hydrometallurgical refining process aims to retain valuable metals like lithium and nickel within the UK. This approach is intended to promote local job creation and ensure a resilient supply chain for the growing UK electric vehicle sector.
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In addition to its technical advancements, Altilium has secured investments from organizations such as Mizuho Bank and Marubeni Corporation. These partnerships will help support the company’s planned expansion. Altilium’s efforts come in response to research suggesting that by 2030, the UK may require up to 40% of global lithium production and 30% of global graphite production to meet domestic demand.
The ACT 3 plant represents an important phase in Altilium’s development, which also includes earlier stages such as the ACT 1 Technology Centre and the ACT 2 pilot line. Upon becoming operational, the ACT 3 facility will provide key intermediate materials for the UK’s electric vehicle industry, with plans for the ACT 4 facility to produce finished cathode materials for UK gigafactories.