An innovative recycling technology developed in the United Kingdom could revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry. The company Altilium announced the implementation of its EcoCathode™ method, capable of recovering up to 97% of lithium and 99% of graphite from used batteries, essential materials for manufacturing new energy cells.
This advancement marks a milestone in the sustainability of the sector, as it reduces the dependence on mineral extraction and strengthens the circular economy in the United Kingdom. With the increased demand for batteries, the recovery of these critical materials is expected to play a key role in the transition to clean energy and in reducing environmental impact.
Iron and lithium phosphate (LFP) batteries have gained ground in the EV industry and energy storage systems (ESS). However, recycling them posed a challenge because the main materials, such as iron and phosphate, have less commercial value compared to the metals used in nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries. In this sense, Altilium overcame this barrier with its EcoCathode™ technology, maximizing the recovery of lithium and graphite for reuse in new batteries.
According to the Advanced Propulsion Centre of the UK, LFP batteries are expected to represent 25% of the EV market by 2035, a significant increase from the current 18%. This growth makes the development of recycling solutions crucial to ensure sustainability and safety in the battery supply chain.
Expansion and Future of Used Battery Recycling
Altilium already operates two facilities in Devon, where it processes NMC batteries and production waste from gigafactories. Additionally, it opened a plant in Plymouth with the capacity to recover lithium and other metals from 300 kg of battery waste per day. Their next project, a recycling center in Teesside, is shaping up to be one of the largest facilities in Europe, capable of processing waste from over 150,000 EVs per year.
Backed by investors such as SQM Lithium Ventures and Marubeni Corporation, Altilium is positioned as a key player in the transformation of battery recycling. Their innovation not only drives sustainability in the automotive industry but also reinforces the UK’s autonomy in critical materials for electromobility.
What are the benefits of lithium batteries?
Over the past years, lithium batteries have been used in all electronic devices on the market such as mobile phones, toys, drones, computers, skates, and electric vehicles, thanks to being more energy-dense and durable.
The main benefit of these batteries is that they increase user convenience, allowing for device portability. Their major drawback is that they can only be used for a limited time. Even rechargeable batteries deplete over time.
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