Altilium Strategic Expansion: Driving the UK‘s Battery Circular Economy
Altilium’s Strategic Expansion: Leading the UK‘s EV Battery Recycling Ecosystem
As the UK accelerates its transition to electric vehicles (EVs), the need for sustainable battery recycling solutions has become more urgent than ever. UK-based clean technology company Altilium is at the forefront of this movement, developing a comprehensive infrastructure to recover and reuse lithium-ion batteries. Through its phased ACT (Altilium Clean Technology) plan, Altilium aims to create a circular economy for battery materials, reducing reliance on imported resources and minimizing environmental impact.
Building a Circular Battery Economy
Altilium’s approach involves scaling its recycling capabilities progressively through four distinct phases:
ACT 1: The technology centre in Tavistock serves as the foundation for process development and innovation, where advanced hydrometallurgical techniques are refined.
ACT 2: The pilot plant in Plymouth processes one EV battery per day, validating processes at an industrially relevant scale and enabling material qualification with automotive partners. This 18,000-square-foot facility also functions as an innovation hub focused on reducing capital and operating expenditures and improving metal recovery rates, particularly for lithium.
ACT 3: A commercial plant currently under construction in Plymouth will produce mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) as an intermediate product, bridging the gap between pilot and full-scale production. The facility is designed to process battery waste from 24,000 EVs annually.
ACT 4: A planned gigascale battery recycling plant in Teesside will process 150,000 EV batteries per year, supplying more than 50% of the UK’s cathode active material (CAM) demand by 2030. The plant will integrate advanced shredding and robotic systems to enhance the safety and efficiency of battery recycling.
Technology Innovation and Environmental Impact
Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process demonstrates the company‘s commitment to technological innovation and environmental sustainability. This advanced hydrometallurgical technology recovers more than 95% of cathode metals — including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese — from end-of-life EV batteries and production scrap. The recovered materials are reprocessed into high-nickel cathode active material (CAM) that can be directly used in battery manufacturing. Compared to traditional mining, the process not only reduces CAM’s carbon footprint by up to 74% but also lowers production costs by approximately 20%.
Strategic Partnerships and Regulatory Alignment
Altilium‘s growth strategy is supported by significant investments and partnerships. In early 2025, Japanese trading house Marubeni invested $5 million in Altilium to help scale its operations. This investment followed a $12 million Series A round involving Chilean lithium company SQM. Additionally, Altilium has partnered with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to build and test battery cells using recycled materials from older Jaguar I-Pace EVs. This project aims to demonstrate the viability of producing batteries at scale using recycled materials and aligns with upcoming EU regulations, which will require a certain percentage of recycled content in new EV batteries from 2031 onwards.
Positioning the UK as a Leader in Battery Recycling
Altilium’s comprehensive approach to battery recycling positions the UK to become a leader in sustainable battery material production. By creating a local supply chain for critical battery materials, Altilium supports the UK‘s goals regarding industrial resilience, energy security, and economic growth. The company’s efforts help reduce dependence on imported resources, lower environmental impact, and create long-term green jobs domestically.
Conclusion
Altilium‘s strategic expansion and technological innovation are playing a key role in establishing a sustainable circular economy for EV batteries in the UK. Through its phased ACT plan, the company is not only addressing the urgent need for effective battery recycling solutions but also laying the groundwork for the UK to become a global leader in this critical sector. As demand for EVs continues to grow, Altilium’s initiatives will be crucial in ensuring a greener, more resilient future for the UK‘s transport and energy sectors.