Altilium has started its LFP battery recycling operations in the UK. From recycled lithium iron phosphate batteries, there are estimates of recovery of up to 97% of lithium and 99% of graphite.
Recycling LFP batteries in the UK
Nickel-cobalt-manganese ( NMC ) batteries have a completely different composition, and LFPs contain iron and phosphate, materials of lower value, which has made their recycling less attractive. However, Altilium has developed a strategy to overcome this obstacle by recovering lithium and graphite, two materials for the manufacture of new cells.
Altilium’s EcoCathode technology is presented as an efficient solution to maximize the recovery of these components. The company seeks to close the life cycle of batteries through a circular economy model, thus reducing the need for new extractions of natural resources and decreasing the carbon footprint of the sector.
The company currently recycles NMC batteries and production waste from battery factories at its ACT1 and ACT2 sites in Devon. With the recent opening of its ACT2 plant in Plymouth, Altilium has the capacity to recover materials from up to 300kg of battery waste per day. In the medium term, the company plans to expand with a facility in Teesside, which is projected to be one of the largest battery recycling plants in Europe, capable of processing waste from over 150,000 electric vehicles per year.
The rise of LFP batteries presents both challenges and opportunities for recyclers. At Altilium, we are pioneering solutions to ensure these batteries are not just recovered, but play a key role in a circular UK battery economy. Our advanced EcoCathode technology allows us to efficiently extract lithium and graphite, making LFP recycling commercially viable and environmentally essential. By expanding our capabilities to process LFP alongside NMC batteries, we are strengthening the UK battery supply chain and supporting the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable transport sector.
Dr. Christian Marston, Chief Operating Officer of Altilium.
According to the Advanced Propulsion Centre , the use of LFP batteries in the UK EV market is projected to increase from 18% in 2027 to 25% in 2035. This growth will strengthen the need for infrastructure for recycling and recovering components as materials.
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Source and photos: Altilium
