Altilium and Talga Group Ltd have recently unveiled a collaborative effort aimed at advancing green battery anode production within the UK. Their joint venture seeks to transform the recycling process of electric vehicle (EV) batteries by reclaiming graphite for reuse in new battery anodes.
Through embracing a circular economy model, the partnership endeavors to diminish the UK’s reliance on imported raw materials while championing sustainability within the EV battery sector.
Dr. Christian Marston, President and COO of Altilium, expressed enthusiasm about this development, highlighting its significance in steering towards a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for electric vehicle batteries. He emphasized the intention to collaborate with Talga to establish a domestic, sustainable supply chain for low carbon graphite in the UK, aiming to lead the shift towards self-sufficiency and energy security.
Tackling the increasing demand for graphite Graphite, a crucial component constituting up to 50% of a lithium-ion battery’s volume, plays a pivotal role in battery production. With forecasts indicating a looming shortfall in graphite supply over the next decade and China’s dominant control over 90% of the world’s graphite refinement, achieving self-sufficiency becomes imperative for the UK.
According to projections by the Advanced Propulsion Centre, UK battery anode demand for graphite is expected to surge, reaching 46,000 MT by 2027 and escalating to 95,000 MT by 2030. The partnership represents a significant step towards establishing a sustainable domestic source of graphite for the UK’s EV battery industry.
Leveraging Altilium’s expertise in battery recycling Altilium stands at the forefront of recovering critical battery metals, including lithium, to produce cathode active materials (CAM) for direct reuse in the battery supply chain. With the recent focus on graphite recovery, the company aims to achieve full battery circularity, efficiently recycling all battery components.
Altilium’s proprietary recycling process boasts an impressive graphite recovery rate of over 99% from end-of-life EV batteries, enabling the return of valuable graphite resources back into the supply chain. Coupled with Talga’s green battery anode production technology, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions during EV production, the partnership underscores a commitment to environmental sustainability.
Under the agreement, Altilium and Talga will collaborate on optimizing graphite recovery from battery waste to produce high-quality battery-grade graphite for use in new battery anodes.
Operational expansion and testing Altilium will supply Talga with graphite recovered from EV battery waste at its Battery Recycling Technology Centre (ACT 1) in Tavistock and its new pilot plant in Plymouth (ACT 2), both located in Devon. These facilities, scheduled to commence operations later in 2024, will process substantial volumes of CAM and battery precursors for qualification with OEMs and cell manufacturers.
Talga, utilizing its patented chemical purification methods, will generate high-purity stock for the production of new anode active materials and conduct rigorous testing to ensure quality and performance.
Industry collaborations Altilium’s participation in a £30m collaborative project supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and led by Nissan demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. The project involves collaborating closely with Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) to recover graphite from spent Nissan Leaf batteries and production scrap for reuse in new battery anodes.
Additionally, Altilium is focused on upcycling cathode metals to high nickel CAM, further advancing sustainability within the EV industry.
Moreover, Altilium’s planned Teesside recycling plant, with a capacity to recover 20,000 MT of graphite annually by 2030, is poised to meet over 20% of the UK’s demand.
The partnership between Altilium and Talga Group marks a significant stride towards sustainability and innovation within the EV battery industry. By prioritizing the recovery and reuse of critical materials, the collaboration aims to bolster the UK’s position as a leader in green technology while mitigating environmental impact.
