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Altilium, a UK-based clean technology company, has announced a planned £30 million investment to establish a new electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility in Plymouth. This development aims to bolster the UK’s clean energy infrastructure and support its transition to net zero. The facility is a major step in Altilium’s mission to create a domestic circular economy for critical battery minerals.
Key Highlights
- Investment: A £30 million investment is planned for a new ACT 3 EV battery recycling facility in Plymouth, UK.
- Job Creation: The project is expected to create over 50 high-skilled jobs in engineering, research, and operations.
- Recycling Capacity: The plant will process batteries from 24,000 EVs annually, recovering essential materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
- Commissioning Date: The first-of-its-kind facility is scheduled to be commissioned in late 2026.
- Public Investment: A Series B1 retail funding round will open to the public on June 16th, offering local investors a stake in the company’s growth.
Pioneering Clean Energy in the UK
The new 174,000-square-foot facility in Plymouth is designed to be a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy future. By recycling end-of-life EV batteries, Altilium will create a sustainable, domestic supply of materials essential for manufacturing new batteries. This process not only reduces the UK’s dependence on imported minerals but also lowers carbon emissions, making EVs a greener transportation solution.
The company’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process transforms battery scrap into reusable cathode active materials (CAM) and precursors (pCAM) for direct use in new battery production. This initiative is crucial as global demand for critical minerals like lithium and nickel continues to rise with the growing EV market.
Community and Economic Impact
This investment marks a significant commitment to the Plymouth region. Councillor Tom Briars-Delve of Plymouth City Council noted the project will boost the next generation of green, well-paying jobs for local residents. Altilium, founded in 2020, already employs over 50 people in the South West, including more than 20 scientists and engineers.
The company actively collaborates with local schools and universities to provide work experience and internship opportunities, nurturing talent in the clean technology sector. Plymouth City Council has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, a goal supported by Altilium’s local expansion.
Future Growth and Investment
To date, Altilium has secured £14 million in inward investment from major international partners, including Chile’s SQM Lithium Ventures, Japanese trading group Marubeni, and Mizuho Bank.
Building on its existing facilities, including the ACT 1 R&D center in Tavistock and the ACT 2 pilot plant in Plymouth, the new ACT 3 plant represents a significant scaling of operations. Looking ahead, Altilium plans to build one of Europe’s largest EV battery recycling plants in Teesside, which will have the capacity to process scrap from over 150,000 EVs annually. This plant is projected to produce 30,000 metric tons of CAM, meeting approximately 20% of the UK’s expected demand by 2030.
For more information, visit Altilium’s official website at www.altilium.tech.
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