Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group focused on supporting the transition to net zero, announced a new partnership with major chemicals company, HELM AG, through its UK subsidiary LevertonHELM Ltd, that will see the two companies working together to develop a sustainable domestic supply chain for lithium in the UK.

By combining Altilium’s expertise in recovering battery materials from spent batteries with LevertonHELM’s advanced lithium production capabilities, the partnership aims to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported raw materials and support the transition to a greener economy.

Under the terms of the MOU, LevertonHELM will initially qualify technical grade lithium carbonate recovered from end-of-life EV batteries and production scrap at Altilium’s recycling facilities in Devon. This is expected to lead to offtake and tolling agreements for the supply of recycled lithium in the UK, thus helping to meet the demand for sustainable and domestically sourced battery materials.

Currently the UK is dependent on the global market for lithium, with China responsible for the refining of 60-70% of lithium found in EV batteries.

Altilium’s recently opened ACT2 recycling facility in Plymouth has capacity to recover lithium and other battery metals from 300kg of black mass waste (the equivalent of one EV battery) per day, using its proprietary EcoCathode process. In addition to producing cathode active materials (CAM) for qualification with automotive customers, the facility will produce high volumes of lithium, available for re-entry into the British supply chain.

As well as strengthening the domestic supply chain for lithium, Altilium’s recycling process also reduces the carbon footprint of lithium production and will enable battery manufacturers to comply with new EU battery regulations. As of August 2031, new EV batteries in the EU must contain at least 6% lithium from recycling, rising to 12% by 2036.