Altilium (formerly Altilium Metals), a London-based CleanTech startup, has produced nickel-rich cathode active materials (CAM; NMC 622), which are essential components for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, by recycling end-of-life EV battery scrap (old electric vehicle (NMC 111) and portable electronics (LCO) batteries) at its recycling demonstration line located in Devon. 

The company has delivered the first batch of CAM samples to Imperial College London, where they will be analyzed as part of a joint research program, partly funded by the UK Government's Automotive Transformation Fund through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).

As part of the joint research program, Altilium Metals and Imperial College London will collaborate to compare the electrochemical performance of the CAM produced from end-of-life EV batteries with commercially manufactured cathodes made from mined raw materials. The CAM will be analyzed in coin cells and single-layer pouch cells, similar to those used in the Nissan Leaf EV, produced in the UK.

Analyst QuickTake: Altilium Metals has completed the feasibility study for the UK's largest planned recycling facility for electric vehicle batteries in Teesside , slated to start production in 2025. The facility will have the capacity to recover battery waste from over 150,000 electric vehicles and produce 30,000 metric tons of CAM.