Altilium Metals and Marubeni Corporation Collaborate to Develop UK EV Battery Recycling Industry

6 July 2023: Altilium Metals, a UK-based green technology group, has announced the signing of a non-binding MOU with Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese trading and investment group. The main objective of this partnership is to collaborate in the exploration and development of EV battery recycling ventures within the United Kingdom.

A key aspect of this endeavour will be the establishment of a UK-based supply chain for the recycling of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. By combining their expertise, resources, and market presence, both companies aim to foster innovation, improve competitiveness, and achieve sustainable growth within the battery recycling sector. This partnership underscores their commitment to supporting the transition to a net-zero future.

In an official press release by the company, Dr Christian Marston, CTO, Altilium Metals stated, “Marubeni is a respected leader in the battery material industry and we are excited to collaborate with them on our journey to develop a UK circular economy for critical battery minerals. Their strategic support will accelerate our growth as we look to scale up our best-in-class recycling technology and build the infrastructure for us to get to net zero.”

Altilium Metals stands as the sole company in the UK specialising in the recovery of lithium, nickel, and cobalt from waste EV batteries, generating battery-ready cathode active materials (CAM) at its scale-up line in Devon. Recently, the company successfully concluded a feasibility study for the establishment of the country's exclusive EV battery recycling facility, located in Teesside. This facility aims to produce low-carbon CAM and will possess the capability to process scrap from over 150,000 EVs annually. By 2030, it is projected to contribute to more than 20% of the UK's planned CAM production, positioning it as one of the most significant projects in the region.

Marubeni is actively considering the exploration of synergies with its existing assets, such as its trading expertise in battery materials, renewable energy supply and energy management capabilities, essential chemical reagents for the recycling process, and its mobility business. By leveraging these resources, Marubeni aims to identify and pursue potential opportunities for collaboration and integration within these areas.

The partnership between Altilium Metals and Marubeni Corporation represents a major milestone in advancing the sustainable and circular economy for EV battery recycling in the UK. With Altilium Metals' expertise in recovering critical battery minerals and Marubeni's leadership in the battery material industry, the partnership has the potential to drive innovation and competitiveness in the battery recycling sector.