Altilium has officially begun construction on the UK's first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility with integrated chemical refining.

Located on a four-acre site in Plymouth, Devon, the groundbreaking ACT 3 plant is set to revolutionise how the UK handles end-of-life EV batteries. With the capacity to process battery materials from up to 24,000 vehicles annually, the facility will recover critical minerals including lithium, nickel, and graphite—materials essential to domestic battery production and the broader energy transition.

"Our ACT 3 site marks the next phase in Altilium's mission to close the loop on battery materials here in Britain," said Dr Christian Marston, Altilium COO. "We are proud to be building this scale-up facility here in Plymouth, which will be a cornerstone of the UK’s EV battery supply chain. This is about taking a strategic and incremental approach to scaling a vital new industry, one that ensures value stays in the country and creates long-term skilled green jobs."

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Using its proprietary EcoCathode™ process, Altilium will convert battery waste into valuable intermediate products such as Nickel Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) and Lithium Sulphate. These are crucial components for the domestic manufacture of battery cathodes, reducing reliance on global supply chains and strengthening the UK’s industrial resilience.

Engineering design work for the facility is being carried out by global consultancy firm Hatch. The plant is expected to generate vital insights into materials handling, process efficiency, and environmental compliance—key learnings that will inform the development of Altilium’s planned ACT 4 mega-scale refinery later this decade.

Currently, the UK depends heavily on international markets for battery-grade materials. Research from the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC) estimates the UK will require up to 40% of current global lithium production and 30% of global graphite production by 2030 to meet growing demand.

By developing a closed-loop, circular economy for EV batteries, Altilium’s new facility aims to secure a domestic supply chain, cut carbon emissions, and foster long-term economic growth through sustainable, skilled employment.

With construction now underway, the ACT 3 plant places the UK firmly on the map as a leader in sustainable battery material recovery and processing.