Altilium and LevertonHELM Partner to Develop UK Lithium Supply Chain
UK-based clean technology group Altilium has announced a partnership with LevertonHELM, the UK subsidiary of German chemical firm HELM, to establish a sustainable domestic lithium supply chain in the UK. The collaboration aims to reduce reliance on imported raw materials by integrating Altilium’s battery material recovery expertise with LevertonHELM’s lithium production capabilities.
As part of the 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. This initiative is expected to result in offtake and tolling agreements to secure a steady supply of recycled lithium for the UK market.
Altilium’s recently opened ACT2 recycling facility in Plymouth plays a central role in this effort. Using its proprietary EcoCathode process, the facility can recover lithium and other valuable battery metals from 300 kg of black mass waste—equivalent to one EV battery—per day. The facility also produces cathode active materials (CAM) for qualification with automotive customers and generates lithium suitable for reintegration into the British supply chain.
Beyond strengthening domestic lithium production, Altilium’s recycling process offers environmental benefits, including a reduced carbon footprint. This aligns with new EU battery regulations requiring EV batteries to contain at least 6% recycled lithium by 2031, increasing to 12% by 2036. The partnership supports compliance with these mandates, providing a greener and more efficient refining process.
“This is a great opportunity to support the UK’s efforts to secure such an important mineral for the energy transition,” said Stefan Berner Beltrán, Principal Engineer and Lithium Raw Materials Lead at Altilium. “By working together on alternative technologies, we can unlock the most value from domestic urban mining, aiming for greener and more efficient refining processes.”
