Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group, in partnership with luxury-car manufacturer JLR, announced the demonstration of the UK's first electric vehicle battery cells produced using recycled cathode active materials at the Cenex Expo 2025. This project, supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) under the Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator (ARMD 3) initiative, represents a significant advancement toward a circular economy for EV batteries in the UK.
It aims to show the potential of recycled materials in high-performance EVs, aiding manufacturers in achieving sustainability goals and creating a stable battery supply chain in the region.
During the event, Altilium and JLR showcased the automotive-grade NMC 811 multilayer pouch cells manufactured using cathode active material (CAM) recovered from end-of-life EV batteries through Altilium's EcoCathode process. This process aligns with the EU's 2036 target for minimum recycled content levels.
Initial electrochemical testing demonstrated that these cells have performance comparable to those made from primary materials, and they are undergoing further validation at JLR's advanced battery-testing facilities.
In addition to the multilayer pouch cells, single-layer pouch cells with wholly recycled cathode and graphite anode materials were also demonstrated, showcasing complete circularity for these components.
Christian Marston, COO of Altilium, emphasized the breakthrough as a confidence boost for the UK in battery recycling, showcasing the trial's ability to meet automotive performance standards while significantly cutting emissions and reducing dependency on imported raw materials. The EcoCathode process effectively recovers over 95% of cathode metals from waste and 99% of graphite, enabling their reuse in new battery production.
This project supports compliance with impending EU Battery Regulations, aiming to bolster the UK's vehicle export potential to Europe and enhance local supply chain resilience. David Sellick, the project lead at JLR, highlighted the initiative as a significant step in reducing the environmental impacts of EV battery cells while maintaining high-performance standards.
The Cenex Expo presentation also featured a virtual reality model of the Jaguar I-PACE battery pack, demonstrating integration into the vehicle, underscoring JLR's commitment to sustainable innovation.
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