Altilium welcomes the publication this week of the UK Government’s Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, which once again highlights the importance of building domestic capacity for the production and recycling of critical materials needed for the energy transition.

As the strategy notes, global battery demand from EVs is expected to grow by nearly 40 times between 2020 and 2040 (IEA), resulting in spiralling demand for battery minerals, such as lithium. Currently the UK is dependent on the global market for these raw materials, which presents a risk to security of supply.

With the ongoing support of the UK government, Altilium is helping to address this challenge though the development of cutting-edge battery recycling processes and the scale-up of its domestic recycling facilities, thereby reducing reliance on overseas supply for the UK.

By recovering critical metals from end-of-life EV batteries, Altilium is helping to secure a sustainable domestic supply of these raw materials for production of EV batteries here in the UK, contributing to energy security and supporting the transition to net zero.

Altilium’s “EcoCathode” Recycling process could reduce the carbon by 50% and cost of CAM by 30% compared to virgin mined material, making EVs even cleaner.

Altilium is pleased to see that the report recommends exploring opportunities to develop domestic capability to produce critical goods, including potential support and increased investment in the development of recycling capabilities.