Inside the UK’s Bid to Reinvent Battery Supply Chains

Altilium launches UK facility to recycle EV batteries into premium materials, cutting costs and emissions

18 Apr 2025

Altilium has broken ground on a pioneering battery recycling plant in Plymouth, poised to revolutionize how Europe powers its electric vehicles. By turning scrap from 150,000 used EVs a year into high-performance materials for new batteries, the facility aims to cut both emissions and supply chain reliance on imported metals.

At the heart of Altilium’s vision is EcoCathode, a proprietary process that recovers lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, then refines them into cathode active materials (CAM). The company projects it will meet 20 percent of the UK’s future CAM demand, once dominated by mining and overseas processing.

“This isn’t just recycling; it’s reshaping the entire battery supply chain,” said an Altilium spokesperson. Independent testing by Imperial College London found the recycled output matches or exceeds the quality of mined equivalents, opening the door for broader adoption across the auto industry.

That shift is already underway. Jaguar Land Rover is piloting Altilium’s materials in next-gen battery packs, while major backers like SQM Lithium Ventures and Marubeni signal mounting investor confidence. With the EU mandating minimum recycled content in EV batteries by 2030, Altilium’s timing is strategic.

The numbers are compelling. Global battery materials demand is set to triple by 2030, but Altilium says its closed-loop system could slash production costs by 20 percent and reduce carbon emissions by up to 70 percent. By keeping the entire recycling and refinement process on British soil, the company also mitigates geopolitical risk and logistical delays.

Challenges remain, from sourcing spent batteries to navigating regulatory red tape, but momentum is building. As Europe seeks to secure clean tech supply chains, Altilium’s bold investment stands out as a blueprint for scalable, circular innovation.

This isn’t just a plant; it’s a turning point. In the race to electrify transport, Altilium’s homegrown approach could redefine the future of EV battery manufacturing in the UK and beyond.