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Altilium, a UK-based clean technology company, has begun construction of the UK’s first at-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling and refining facility in Plymouth, Devon. Named the ACT 3 scale-up plant, this state-of-the-art facility is set to bolster the UK’s supply of critical battery minerals, supporting the nation’s transition to net zero. The plant will utilize Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process to recycle battery scrap into essential materials like Nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate and Lithium Sulphate, fostering a sustainable domestic supply chain for EV battery production.
Key Highlights:
- Capacity: The ACT 3 plant will process materials from 24,000 EVs annually, recovering critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite.
- Innovative Process: Employs the EcoCathode™ process for advanced hydrometallurgical refining, producing intermediate materials for battery cathodes.
- Economic Impact: Supports industrial resilience, energy security, and creates long-term skilled green jobs in the UK.
- Sustainability: Reduces reliance on imported resources and cuts carbon emissions by establishing a circular economy for EV batteries.
- Future Plans: Part of a scale-up pathway leading to the ACT 4 mega-scale refinery, set to process scrap from 150,000 EVs per year by 2030.
The ACT 3 facility, spanning a 4-acre site, is designed by global engineering consultancy Hatch. It will serve as a critical step in optimizing material handling, scalability, and environmental compliance. By 2030, the UK is projected to require 40% of global lithium production and 30% of global graphite production to meet battery demand, according to the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre. Altilium’s initiative addresses this by minimizing dependence on international markets.
Dr. Christian Marston, Altilium’s COO, emphasized the project’s role in closing the loop on battery materials domestically. The facility follows significant investments from Mizuho Bank and Marubeni Corporation in 2025, underscoring Altilium’s structured growth strategy. This includes the operational ACT 2 mini-commercial plant and plans for the ACT 4 facility, which will produce 30,000 MT of cathode active material, meeting 20% of the UK’s needs by 2030.
Altilium’s efforts position the UK as a leader in sustainable battery material production, enhancing economic growth and environmental stewardship.
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