Clean Tech Trailblazer Mint Innovation has set aside £8.1 million to advance its cutting-edge lithium battery recycling platform.
The funding will support the development and demonstration of the low-carbon hydrometal jaligul process to extract critical metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt) from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
The initiative is a strategic collaboration with Warwick University’s Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Libatt Recycling (a subsidiary of Recycles Group) and WMG.
Together, the consortium aims to strengthen the UK’s domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and reduce its reliance on imported raw materials.
“We’re committed to providing a great opportunity to help you,” said Dr. Will Barker, CEO of Mint Innovation.
“Together, we can advance zero-emission vehicle manufacturing with a faster pace and pioneering sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling solution to ensure the supply of critical green materials to the UK’s rapidly growing EV industry.”
Addressing the challenges of battery waste
As the adoption of electric vehicles accelerates, so does the amount of used batteries. Predictions from the Advanced Propulsion Center (APC) estimate that the UK will be able to generate 235 kilotons of EV battery waste by 2040.
However, the UK currently has no industrial scale facilities to reuse these batteries in high-quality, verified recycled materials.
The purpose of this project is to close that gap and will help establish a domestic supply chain for essential battery components and reduce reliance on imported materials.
Each consortium partner plays a key role in the process, from supplying and handling used batteries to reintegrating recycled materials to reintegrating new battery systems.
Ian Constance, CEO of APC UK, added:
“We are pleased to see APC, Zenzic and its distribution partners foster new waves of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, fostering scale-ups and enabling transformation.”
Part of the national clean technology strategy
The initiative forms part of the UK government’s Drive35 programme, a £2.5 billion effort to transform the automotive industry and strengthen green manufacturing capabilities.
By supporting the land processing of critical materials, the programme is seeking to strengthen economic resilience and help the UK achieve its net-zero emissions target.
The Lithium Battery Recycling Project is based in the West Midlands and is scheduled to run in 2028 over a three-year period.
Already a hub for automotive innovation, the region offers an ideal location to scale and test technology.
Promoting an environmentally friendly future through recycling
As the UK accelerates its transition to electric mobility, the development of efficient and scalable lithium battery recycling solutions is essential.
Such projects not only reduce environmental harm and dependence on mining, but also lay the foundation for a resilient, self-sufficient battery supply chain.
By investing in cutting-edge technology and cross-sector collaboration, the UK is at the forefront of a global shift towards a cyclical, low-carbon economy.
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