Incremental and strategic scaling
Altilium’s ACT sites represent a structured, risk-managed approach to scaling up next-generation battery recycling in the UK.
ACT 1, our R&D Technology Centre serves as the foundation for process development and innovation, refining our advanced EcoCathode technology. ACT 2, our pilot line, validates these processes at an industrially relevant scale of one EV battery per day, qualifying materials with automotive customers. This leads to ACT 3, our scale-up plant, which will produce Nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) as an intermediate product, bridging the gap between pilot and full-scale production. Finally, ACT 4 will be our mega scale battery recycling facility, delivering cathode-active materials to support the UK’s growing EV and gigafactory sectors.
ACT 4, securing strategic materials for a UK battery future
ACT 4 is Altilium’s flagship plant to establish the UK as a global leader in EV battery recycling and sustainable battery materials. It will process 150,000 EV batteries each year, enough to supply over 20% of the UK’s cathode active material needs by 2030.
Using advanced hydrometallurgical refining, ACT 4 recovers battery metals salts, pCAM and CAM with up to 74% lower carbon emissions than conventional mining. This circular approach secures a domestic, low-carbon supply chain for the UK’s expanding gigafactory ecosystem.
Backed by industry leaders and supported by government, ACT 4 will create more than 500 high-value green jobs and place the UK at the forefront of next-generation battery production.
Building a circular economy
“Realising the UK’s potential in battery recycling is more important than ever.”
- UK Government Battery Strategy
As older EVs reach end-of-life, millions of batteries will need to be recycled over the coming decade, over one million tonnes a year by 2030, growing to nearly 20 million by 2040.
The ability to recycle these batteries and “close the loop” on their life cycle reduces the need for virgin mined materials and leads to significant reductions in the carbon footprint of new lithium-ion EV batteries.
By building a circular domestic supply chain, we will reduce our reliance on global supply chains for critical materials, while ensuring that significantly more of a battery’s economic value is kept within the UK economy.
