Altilium, Synetiq and LV= join forces on EV battery recycling

Altilium and SYNETIQ are working together to recycle the growing number of electric vehicle (EV) batteries from cars that have been written off, thereby closing the loop on the UK battery supply chain and conserving natural resources.

SYNETIQ – a leading vehicle salvage, dismantling and recycling specialist – processes thousands of cars each year and currently has an inventory of damaged EVs across its UK facilities.

The company has invested heavily in equipment to remove the batteries from these cars and store them safely. LV= Insurance works closely with SYNETIQ with the recovery and recycling of EV batteries from damaged or ‘total loss’ vehicles insured by LV=. These batteries will be processed at Altilium’s state-of-the-art technology centre in Devon, to recover the valuable raw materials, including lithium and nickel, for direct reuse in the production of new batteries.

Altilium is currently the only company in the UK recovering these critical battery metals from battery waste. Using advanced hydrometallurgical recycling processes, the company can recover over 95% of the battery metals. This innovative process results in a 50% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the use of virgin materials in battery production, and 20% lower costs, paving the way for more affordable and accessible electric vehicles.

Commenting on this collaboration, Tom Rumboll, CEO, SYNETIQ, stated:

“At the core of SYNETIQ’s operations lies a commitment to sustainability, reuse, repurposing, and recycling. These principles are essential for us to fulfil our mission of maximising both the economic and environmental benefits derived from each vehicle received from our valued clients. Through our collaboration with Altilium and LV=, we aim to establish complete circularity in the UK, particularly in a pivotal sector for the energy transition. This collaboration has the potential to substantially diminish CO2e emissions, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable future.”

Rod Savage, Program Director, End-of-Life Batteries at Altilium, added:

“Our collaboration with SYNETIQ marks a pivotal moment in achieving a circular economy for EV batteries in the UK and reducing our reliance on imported battery materials. Our recycling technology plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of battery production and supporting the adoption of EVs. Together, we are transforming the future of sustainable transportation in the UK.”

Martin Milliner, General Insurance claims director, LV= Insurance, commented: 

“In 2019 LV= were the first insurer to launch a car insurance product developed solely for electric cars. Given the high embodied carbon impact of EV batteries, we have a responsibility to ensure that the batteries we provide SYNETIQ from our motor claims are responsibly disposed of. We’re happy to be supporting SYNETIQ and Altilium as they work to develop a solution to reduce the environmental impact of battery production in the UK and look forward to exploring how we can further collaborate to create full circularity in the UK EV battery supply chain.”

Over the next decade, over 100 million EV batteries are expected to reach end of life globally. The UK is the second largest market for EVs in Europe but currently exports battery waste to Europe and Asia for processing, which is costly and results in more carbon emissions. By creating a domestic capacity for battery recycling, Altilium is offering an environmentally friendly solution for battery disposal and ensuring that the valuable resources remain in the UK supply chain.

Working with SYNETIQ will help to secure feedstock supply for Altilium’s fully circular battery recycling ecosystem, which will include the UK’s largest battery recycling and refining plant, to be located in Teesside. The plant will have the capacity to recycle waste batteries from 150,000 EVs a year, producing 30,000 MT of CAM, enough to meet 20% of the expected UK demand by 2030. Altilium also plans to establish a number of regional battery recycling stations across the UK, some of which could be located within SYNETIQ’s facilities, including Doncaster and Winsford.

Image courtesy of Altilium.

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