Altilium and Connected Energy partner on battery lifecycle
UK-based clean technology group Altilium and second-life battery energy storage system firm Connected Energy are forming a strategic relationship on extending the lifecycle of EV batteries.
The collaboration brings together two UK’s firms that are innovating in the rapidly growing EV battery eco-system.
Connected Energy designs and develops energy storage systems using second-life EV batteries, while Altilium recycles and processes end-of-life EV batteries, and manufactures scrap to produce low-carbon cathode active materials (CAM) for direct reuse in new batteries.
Under the agreement, Altilium and Connected Energy will collaborate to develop sustainable and environmentally-responsible business models for the repurposing and recycling of EV batteries.
The collaboration also aims to establish responsible repurposing and recycling protocols, to be adopted as industry-wide standards, following the waste hierarchy principles of re-use, re-purpose and recycle.
Repurposing EV batteries in stationary systems can extend their life by up to ten years, delivering significant environmental and circular economy benefits.
Once batteries reach the end of their second life, they can then be recycled and the critical minerals recovered for reuse in the production of new batteries, ensuring valuable resources remain in the UK supply chain.
Altilium has already received its first batch of batteries from Connected Energy, which will be processed at the company’s recycling facilities in Devon.
Using its EcoCathode recycling process, Altilium can recover over 95% of the battery metals, including lithium, in a format that can be directly reused in the production of new batteries. The process also results in a 60% reduction in carbon emissions and 20% lower costs compared to virgin materials.
Rod Savage, Program Director, End-of-Life Batteries at Altilium, said:
“This collaboration is further demonstration of Altilium’s commitment to ensuring the responsible management of end-of-life EV batteries, working with best-in-class partners across the value chain to support the growth of the entire battery eco-system.”
Matthew Lumsden, CEO Connected Energy, said:
“Over the next five years, we will see a rapid increase in the availability of used EV batteries. As an industry, it is critical that we work together to ensure that we move batteries through the value chain in a way that minimises their environmental impact whilst maximising their financial value. This collaboration is an important step in creating a model for true battery circularity.”
Image of second life cycle courtesy of Altilium