Altilium, a UK-based clean technology firm, has commenced construction of the nation’s first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling and refining plant in Plymouth, Devon. The facility, known as ACT 3, is designed to process batteries from approximately 24,000 EVs annually, recovering critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite .
Utilizing Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode™ process, the plant will convert battery waste into Nickel-Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) and lithium sulfate—key materials for domestic battery cathode production . This development marks a significant step in Altilium’s strategy to establish a closed-loop supply chain for EV battery materials in the UK.
Dr. Christian Marston, Altilium’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the importance of the ACT 3 facility in strengthening the UK’s EV battery supply chain and creating long-term skilled green jobs. He stated, “We are proud to be building this scale-up facility here in Plymouth, which will be a cornerstone of the UK’s electric vehicle battery supply chain” .
The ACT 3 plant is part of Altilium’s phased approach to scaling up its recycling capabilities. The company’s existing facilities include ACT 1, a technology center in Devon where the EcoCathode™ process was developed, and ACT 2, a pilot line that processes one EV battery per day. Looking ahead, Altilium plans to construct the ACT 4 mega-scale refinery, which aims to produce cathode active materials (CAM) to supply UK gigafactories .
This initiative aligns with the UK’s commitment to reducing reliance on imported raw materials and developing a sustainable, domestic supply chain for critical EV battery materials. By recovering these materials from end-of-life EV batteries, Altilium supports the growth of a globally competitive battery supply chain in the UK and minimizes the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing.
The ACT 3 facility is expected to play a pivotal role in the UK’s transition to a circular economy for EV battery materials, contributing to the country’s efforts to meet future sustainability and energy storage goals.
