“We have a sense of urgency that the technologies need to be developed and the infrastructure built for us to get to net zero.”
Altilium’s full circular approach: beyond black mass to P-CAM and CAM
Altilium is advancing beyond traditional “black mass” processing in the UK, which involves the initial shredding of batteries to recover valuable metals, such as lithium and upcycling to battery ready materials of the latest chemistry.
While black mass is a crucial intermediate, it requires further processing to extract materials with the necessary purity for battery manufacturing. Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process converts this black mass into high-margin, battery-ready metals salts, Precursor Cathode Active Materials (P-CAM) and Cathode Active Materials (CAM), at over 95% efficiency, 74% lower GHG emissions and could reduce the cost of battery raw materials by up to 20% . CAM is the final format essential for manufacturing new EV batteries and is up to ten times more valuable than black mass alone.
Currently, much of the UK’s black mass is exported overseas, leading to a loss of critical minerals needed for the domestic energy transition. Establishing a UK-based lithium-ion battery recycling industry is crucial for creating a resilient, sustainable and secure supply chain. Cost-effective and efficient recycling in the UK will not only encourage parts of the battery supply chain and manufacturing to locate to the UK, but also spur innovation and enhance the UK’s position in the global battery economy.
Currently, the UK does not have any operational commercial-scale hydrometallurgy capacity and Altilium’s commitment to establishing a “full battery circularity model” including the zero-carbon transportation of batteries, black mass recycling and chemical refining to battery ready CAM positions the company at the forefront of sustainable battery material production.
Green processing technology
Altilium is the only company in the UK recycling and upcycling a mixed stream of old EV batteries and production scrap to produce high nickel P-CAM and CAM for direct reuse in the manufacturing of new EV batteries.
Our EcoCathode™ hydrometallurgical process is designed for all battery sizes, types and different chemistries, including LFP, NMC and LCO. Altilium’s innovative green technology facilitates precise chemical reengineering and recovers over 95% of the critical minerals including lithium and nickel. We’re more than recyclers; we convert old batteries into sustainable, high-nickel CAM, ensuring seamless integration into new batteries.
Altilium’s EcoAnode™ process allows for the recovery of over 99% of graphite from end-of- EV batteries. Extensive testing has shown that the recycled graphite matches the purity and physical properties of primary sources, offering a green and circular alternative to virgin materials.
By securing patents across each segment of the value chain, we are safeguarding our technological assets, ensuring operational control and differentiating our business in a way that sets Altilium apart from competitors focused on isolated parts of the value chain.
“This is about keeping homegrown IP in the UK, retaining talent in the UK and uplifting UK innovation in the battery ecosystem.” Dr Afzana Anwer, Head of IP
Innovation in battery raw materials
Altilium is pioneering a sustainable, circular approach to EV battery recycling, producing both Precursor (P-CAM) and finished Cathode Active Materials (CAM). Through collaborative validation programs with leading automotive OEMs, backed by UK government research initiatives, Altilium is setting new standards in battery material reuse.
In addition to supplying P-CAM and CAM, Altilium produces essential intermediate commodities, including nickel MHP, nickel, cobalt sulphate, lithium carbonate and graphite. These are key raw materials for the battery manufacturing sector, further supporting a UK robust supply chain for battery materials.
By demonstrating the at-scale production of battery cells using recycled CAM, we’re opening new avenues for supply partnerships with automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers. The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) is manufacturing EV battery cells at-scale with Altilium’s recycled materials. A leading automaker will validate the quality and performance of our EcoCathode™ NMC 811 CAM, marking a critical milestone in UK sustainable battery manufacturing.