Altilium and Helm AG Partner to Build UK Lithium Supply Chain

UK-based clean technology group Altilium has entered into a partnership with major chemicals company Helm AG, through its UK subsidiary LevertonHelm Ltd, to establish a domestic lithium supply chain. The collaboration aims to reduce the UK’s dependence on imported raw materials by integrating Altilium’s expertise in recycling battery materials with LevertonHelm’s advanced lithium production capabilities.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), LevertonHelm will initially qualify technical-grade lithium carbonate recovered from end-of-life EV batteries and production scrap at Altilium’s recycling facilities in Devon. The agreement is expected to pave the way for offtake and tolling arrangements, enabling the supply of sustainably sourced, recycled lithium within the UK. This aligns with growing demand for domestically produced battery materials to support the UK’s green energy transition.

Altilium’s ACT2 recycling facility in Plymouth, which opened recently, uses the proprietary EcoCathode process to recover lithium and other battery metals from black mass waste. The facility processes 300kg of black mass daily—equivalent to one EV battery—and produces cathode active materials (CAM) and high-purity lithium for reintegration into the British supply chain. By reducing reliance on imports and minimizing the carbon footprint of lithium production, the facility helps battery manufacturers meet stringent new EU battery regulations. From August 2031, EV batteries in the EU must contain at least 6% recycled lithium, increasing to 12% by 2036.

LevertonHelm, headquartered in Basingstoke, is a leading producer of lithium chemicals with a global customer base spanning industrial applications. The partnership will also explore alternative lithium processing techniques to further enhance the sustainability and efficiency of lithium refining in the UK.

“This partnership is a significant step toward securing a domestic supply chain for lithium,” said Stefan Berner Beltrán, Principal Engineer and Lithium Raw Materials Lead at Altilium. “By collaborating on alternative technologies, we aim to maximize the value of urban mining while advancing greener and more efficient refining processes.”