“We have a sense of urgency that the technologies need to be developed and the infrastructure built for us to get to net zero.”
Closing The Loop
Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ and EcoAnode™ technologies are the foundation of our critical materials platform. Together, they enable the recovery, purification and regeneration of high-value battery materials from end-of-life batteries and production scrap, creating a truly circular supply chain.
Unlike conventional recycling routes that recover low-value intermediate products, Altilium’s advanced hydrometallurgical technologies produce battery-grade materials ready for direct use in new batteries. By producing these materials in the UK, rather than exporting black mass for processing overseas, Altilium is capturing more value from the battery supply chain, keeping critical minerals, manufacturing value and skilled jobs within the UK.
Advanced battery materials technologies
Our patented EcoCathode™ process recovers more than 95% of lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese from end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap, converting black mass into high-purity battery metal salts, precursor cathode active materials (P-CAM) and cathode active materials (CAM). These are the essential building blocks used to manufacture new lithium-ion batteries, enabling critical minerals to remain in continuous circulation and reducing reliance on imported raw materials.
Altilium’s proprietary EcoAnode™ process enables recovery of over 99% of graphite from end-of-life batteries for refining into high-purity anode materials suitable for reuse in new lithium-ion batteries. By recovering both cathode and anode materials, our processes increase resource efficiency, improve the economics of battery recycling and deliver a fully circular solution for the battery industry.
Cathode Active Materials
CAM is the highest-value component of a lithium-ion battery, determining its energy density, performance and lifespan. Analysis of Altilium’s CAM has confirmed distinct improvements in purity, morphology and electrochemical performance compared to commercially available materials. These benefits have the potential to deliver a significant improvements in battery performance, including longer battery life, faster charging times and lower costs.
Nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP)
Nickel MHP is a key intermediate product used in the production of battery-grade nickel. ACT3 will establish the UK’s first commercial capability to produce battery-grade nickel MHP, providing a secure, low-carbon alternative to imported feedstocks.
Lithium
Lithium sulphate is an essential precursor for the production of battery-grade lithium. Altilium’s ACT3 facility will have capacity to produce approximately 1,000 tonnes per year of LCE, creating a circular domestic source for this critical cathode metal.
Graphite
Graphite accounts for the largest proportion of material within a lithium-ion battery and is essential for anode production. Extensive testing has shown that Altilium’s recycled graphite matches the purity and physical properties of primary sources, offering a sustainable and circular alternative to virgin materials.
UK’s first battery cells produced with recycled CAM
Altilium has demonstrated successful at-scale production of the UK’s first EV battery cells using its recovered CAM, in partnership with luxury global car manufacturer JLR. The NMC811 multilayer pouch cells were manufactured at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), the UK’s national battery manufacturing scale-up facility, using CAM recovered from end-of-life EV batteries at Altilium’s facilities in Devon.
Initial electrochemical testing of the cells demonstrated comparable performance with cells made from conventional primary materials, highlighting the potential of recycled materials as a viable alternative to mined metals, while an independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) confirmed significant reductions in climate change impact compared to primary mined materials.
