Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group focused on supporting the transition to net zero, and SYNETIQ, the UK’s leading vehicle salvage, dismantling and recycling specialist, have today announced a new commercial collaboration, which will see the two companies working together to recycle the growing number of EV batteries from cars that have been written off, thereby closing the loop on the UK battery supply chain and conserving natural resources.

SYNETIQ processes thousands of cars each year and currently has an inventory of damaged EVs across its UK facilities. The company has invested heavily in equipment to remove the batteries from these cars and store them safely. LV= Insurance works closely with SYNETIQ with the recovery and recycling of EV batteries from damaged or ‘total loss’ vehicles insured by LV=. These batteries will be processed at Altilium’s state-of-the-art technology centre in Devon, to recover the valuable raw materials, including lithium and nickel, for direct reuse in the production of new batteries.

Altilium is currently the only company in the UK recovering these critical battery metals from battery waste. Using advanced hydrometallurgical recycling processes, the company can recover over 95% of the battery metals. This innovative process results in a 50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the use of virgin materials in battery production, and 20% lower costs, paving the way for more affordable and accessible electric vehicles.

Commenting on this collaboration, Tom Rumboll, CEO, SYNETIQ, stated: “At the core of SYNETIQ’s operations lies a commitment to sustainability, reuse, repurposing, and recycling. These principles are essential for us to fulfil our mission of maximising both the economic and environmental benefits derived from each vehicle received from our valued clients. Through our collaboration with Altilium and LV=, we aim to establish complete circularity in the UK, particularly in a pivotal sector for the energy transition. This collaboration has the potential to substantially diminish CO2e emissions, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future.”

Rod Savage, Program Director, End-of-Life Batteries at Altilium, added: “Our collaboration with SYNETIQ marks a pivotal moment in achieving a circular economy for EV batteries in the UK and reducing our reliance on imported battery materials. Our recycling technology plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of battery production and supporting the adoption of EVs. Together, we are transforming the future of sustainable transportation in the UK.”

Martin Milliner, General Insurance claims director, LV= Insurance, commented: “In 2019 LV= were the first insurer to launch a car insurance product developed solely for electric cars. Given the high embodied carbon impact of EV batteries, we have a responsibility to ensure that the batteries we provide SYNETIQ from our motor claims are responsibly disposed of. We’re happy to be supporting SYNETIQ and Altilium as they work to develop a solution to reduce the environmental impact of battery production in the UK and look forward to exploring how we can further collaborate to create full circularity in the UK EV battery supply chain.”

Over the next decade, over 100 million EV batteries are expected to reach end of life globally. The UK is the second largest market for EVs in Europe but currently exports battery waste to Europe and Asia for processing, which is costly and results in more carbon emissions. By creating a domestic capacity for battery recycling, Altilium is offering an environmentally friendly solution for battery disposal and ensuring that the valuable resources remain in the UK supply chain.

Working with SYNETIQ will help to secure feedstock supply for Altilium’s fully circular battery recycling ecosystem, which will include the UK’s largest battery recycling and refining plant, to be located in Teesside. 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. Altilium also plans to establish a number of regional battery recycling stations across the UK, some of which could be located within SYNETIQ’s facilities, including Doncaster and Winsford.

 

About Altilium

Altilium is a UK-based clean tech group that will reshape the UK and European automotive supply chain by offering high volume, low carbon domestic sources of cathode and anode materials from recycling waste streams already in circulation, such as end-of-life batteries and mine tailings.

The company’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process converts end-of-life EV batteries and manufacturing scrap into domestic, sustainable, battery precursors, cathode active materials (CAM) and cathode precursor (pCAM) for direct reuse in new batteries.

Altilium’s first mini-commercial plant is currently under construction in Plymouth while its planned Teesside plant will be one of the largest EV battery recycling facilities in Europe. The plant will have the capacity to process scrap from over 150,000 EVs per year, producing 30,000 MT of CAM, enough to meet around 20% of the UK’s expected needs by 2030.

To date, Altilium has secured over £6M in backing from UK government innovation awards, including grants from the Faraday Institutions Battery Challenge and the Automotive Transformation Fund. The company recently completed its Series A funding round with a multi-million pound investment from SQM Lithium Ventures, the corporate venture arm of the lithium business of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), one of the world’s leading producers of battery-grade lithium.

For more information go to www.altilium.tech

For media inquiries contact:
Dominic Schreiber
Email: dominic@altilium.tech

 

About SYNETIQ

SYNETIQ Ltd., the UK-based business unit of IAA Holdings, LLC (IAA), an RB Global, Inc. company, is the leading integrated salvage, dismantling and vehicle recycling company in the UK, formed to become the most innovative and trusted business in the industry. An integrated, data-driven and innovative business, SYNETIQ has led the way in raising industry standards and continually innovates ways of working to deliver great value, ensure complete compliance and a provide a positive experience. SYNETIQ is proud to have major household names in its portfolio, including insurers, accident management companies, fleets, police forces, logistics companies, vehicle repair body shops, and remanufacturers. With cutting-edge data and software solutions, multiple sites, a specialist vehicle recovery fleet and over 800 dedicated UK-based employees, customers and clients trust SYNETIQ to create bespoke solutions to deliver the maximum benefit for their business.

For more information about SYNETIQ visit SYNETIQ.co.uk.