As Europe moves toward a cleaner energy future, battery recycling innovations are becoming crucial for achieving environmental targets. According to Reuters, two European startups have recently reached key milestones in recycling electric vehicle (EV) battery materials, contributing to sustainability and reducing dependency on China’s battery supply chain.
EU Regulations Fuel Demand for Recycled Battery Materials
Starting in August 2030, European automakers must ensure that their EV batteries contain at least:
- 6% recycled lithium and nickel
- 16% recycled cobalt
These requirements will increase in 2035, pushing the industry to accelerate advancements in battery material recycling.
Altilium’s Breakthrough in Battery Recycling
UK-based battery recycling startup Altilium has made significant progress in producing high-performance cathode active materials from recycled sources. A study from Imperial College London found that small batteries made with Altilium’s recycled materials perform better than those made from virgin materials sourced from China.
Altilium’s recycled cathode materials—comprising lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese—deliver:
- 70% lower CO2 emissions compared to virgin materials.
- 20% cost reduction for automakers.
“This is a real technical breakthrough that de-risks the use of recycled materials for automakers,” said Christian Marston, COO of Altilium.
Altilium’s investors include:
- Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM), a leading lithium producer.
- Japanese trading giant Marubeni.
Currently, Altilium is collaborating with Tata Motors’ JLR unit to develop EV battery cells using recycled materials sourced from old Jaguar I-Pace EVs.
Germany’s tozero Develops Sustainable Graphite Recycling
German startup tozero, which recently secured €17 million in funding from investors including Honda, is pioneering a hydrometallurgy process for graphite recycling. If powered by renewable energy, this process is net-zero in emissions.
Graphite accounts for 40% of the carbon footprint of lithium-ion batteries. Reducing its environmental impact is key to helping automakers meet carbon reduction goals.
Tozero’s plans include:
- Building a pilot plant within two years.
- Scaling to 2,000 tonnes of recycled graphite annually by 2027—enough for around 50,000 EVs.
“We are in discussions with several global automakers to supply them with recycled graphite,” said Sarah Fleischer, CEO of tozero.
The Future of EV Battery Recycling in Europe
With ambitious EU regulations and increasing industry investment, the future of EV battery recycling looks promising. Companies like Altilium and tozero are at the forefront of this transformation, providing solutions that improve sustainability, cut costs, and enhance battery supply chain security.
As Europe continues its shift toward sustainable energy, the role of battery recycling startups will become even more critical. With Altilium and tozero leading the charge, the European EV market is poised to reduce its environmental footprint while securing a reliable, cost-effective battery material supply.
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