A UK-based EV lithium-ion battery recycling project has secured £8.1m ($10.8m) funding to manufacture lithium-ion battery materials from recycled sources.
The project is a collaboration between clean tech innovator Mint Innovation, Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Recyclus Group subsidiary LiBatt Recycling, and WMG at the University of Warwick.
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The UK Department for Business and Trade, via the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), has contributed £4.05m for the project.
The battery recycling project is part of the larger DRIVE35 programme, which is investing £2.5bn to enhance the nation’s automotive sector and create jobs.
This collaboration will focus on expanding Mint Innovation’s technology platform for recovering lithium, nickel, and cobalt from spent lithium-ion batteries, essential for electric vehicle (EV) battery production.
Mint noted that the project’s goal is to prove its low-carbon hydrometallurgical black mass refining technology at demonstration scale, which aids in securing its domestic supply chains and meets net-zero targets via clean solutions.
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By GlobalDataSet to take place in the West Midlands, UK, the project will be delivered over the span of three years, concluding in 2028.
APC UK has estimated that by 2040, the UK will generate nearly 235 kilotonnes of EV battery waste.
Mint said, each partner is tasked with “ensuring a sustainable lifecycle” for lithium-ion batteries. This includes managing end-of-life battery supply, processing, and integrating recycled materials into new batteries.
Mint CEO Will Barker said: “Our team is incredibly excited to partner with JLR, LiBatt Recycling, Recyclus Group, and WMG in this innovative consortium.
“Together, we’re able to advance zero emission automative manufacturing at a faster pace, pioneering sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling solutions to secure onshore supply of green materials critical for the UK’s rapidly growing EV industry.”
