The partnership is said to combine Enva’s nationwide collection infrastructure and relationships with car dealerships, and Altilium’s experience in recycling old EV batteries and lithium recovery.
Under the MOU, Enva and Altilium will work together on the safe handling and collection of EV batteries from across the UK for recycling using Altilium’s EcoCathode process. Using hydrometallurgical recycling processes, Altilium is said to be capable of recovering over 95% of the battery metals, in a format that can then be reused in the production of new batteries.
The partnership will also provide feed for Altilium’s Teesside refinery (ACT 4) – said to be the only planned facility in the UK refining lithium-ion waste to battery-ready Cathode Active Materials (CAM) for direct reuse in new battery production.
Altilium said the plant will have the capacity to recycle waste batteries from 150,000 EVs a year, producing 30,000 MT of CAM, enough to meet “20% of the expected UK demand” by 2030.
‘Maximum recovery’
Michael Sneath, managing director of Enva’s lubricants and batteries division, commented: “Expert handling and storage of this potentially hazardous material is paramount. This collaboration will solve an emerging problem for our customers, enhancing the UK’s recycling capabilities and contributing to the circular economy by transforming used batteries into valuable raw materials for new batteries.”
Rod Savage, Altilium’s programme director for end-of-life batteries, added: “By leveraging Enva’s collection network and our processing expertise, we aim to set a new standard in battery recycling, ensuring maximum recovery of materials and supporting the growth of the EV market in an environmentally responsible way.”
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