UK clean technology firm Altilium on Monday announced a partnership with compatriot recycling specialist Enva to collect and recycle EV batteries in the UK.

Under an MOU, the companies will work together on several initiatives, including safely handling and collecting EV batteries from across the country for recycling, using Altilium’s EcoCathode process.

The proprietary technology can recover 95% of the battery metals for direct reuse in new battery production. In addition, Altilium claims the process results in 60% less carbon emissions and 20% lower costs compared to virgin materials, supporting the production of affordable and cleaner EVs.

The latest partnership will bring together Altilium’s expertise in the recycling of old EV batteries with Enva’s nationwide collection infrastructure and existing partnerships with car dealerships. Altilium believes the collaboration will bring “significant commercial benefits” to the company as it eliminates the need to set up collection infrastructure. It will also benefit from direct relationships with multiple waste producers and automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

“By leveraging Enva’s collection network and our processing expertise, we aim to set a new standard in battery recycling, ensuring maximum recovery of materials and supporting the growth of the EV market in an environmentally responsible way,” says Rod Savage, Altilium’s program director for end-of-life batteries.

Additionally, the partnership will provide the feed for Altilium’s Teesside recycling hub in northeastern England. The factory is designed to process battery waste from 150,000 EVs/year to produce 30,000 tonnes/year of battery-ready cathode active materials (CAM). 

“We’re excited to partner with Altilium to develop a comprehensive and sustainable supply chain for EV battery recycling in the UK. Expert handling and storage of this potentially hazardous material is paramount,” comments Michael Sneath, managing director of Enva’s batteries division.

Last month, Altilium secured a grant funding of £639,797 ($798,114) from the UK government to begin rapid prototyping of lithium-ion EV battery pouch cells using recycled CAM. Under the Innovate UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge, Altilium will produce the cells at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) using the CAM produced at its UK pilot facility.