UK-based clean technology group Altilium has announced a new partnership with LevertonHELM, the UK subsidiary of German chemical firm HELM, to develop a sustainable domestic supply chain for lithium in the UK.
By combining Altilium’s expertise in recovering battery materials from spent batteries with LevertonHELM’s lithium production capabilities, the partnership aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported raw materials.
Under the terms of the MOU, LevertonHELM will initially qualify technical-grade lithium carbonate recovered from end-of-life EV batteries and production scrap at Altilium’s recycling facilities in Devon. This is expected to lead to offtake and tolling agreements for the supply of recycled lithium in the UK.
Altilium’s recently opened ACT2 recycling facility in Plymouth has the capacity to recover lithium and other battery metals from 300 kg of black mass waste (the equivalent of one EV battery) per day, using its proprietary EcoCathode process. In addition to producing cathode active materials (CAM) for qualification with automotive customers, the facility will produce high volumes of lithium, suitable for re-entry into the British supply chain.
As well as strengthening the domestic supply chain for lithium, Altilium says its recycling process also reduces the carbon footprint of lithium production, and will enable battery manufacturers to comply with new EU battery regulations. Starting in 2031, new EV batteries in the EU must contain at least 6% lithium from recycling, rising to 12% by 2036.
“This is a great opportunity to support the UK’s efforts to secure such an important mineral for the energy transition,” said Stefan Berner Beltrán, Principal Engineer and Lithium Raw Materials Lead at Altilium. “By working together on alternative technologies, we can unlock the most value from domestic urban mining, aiming for greener and more efficient refining processes.”
Source: Altilium
