A UK consortium has secured support through the Battery Innovation Programme to advance a new lithium‑ion battery recycling technology designed to reinforce circular supply chains and retain more battery value within the UK economy.
The ReCAM project unites the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), Watercycle Technologies, Recyclus Group Ltd and Polaron to address the rising volume of end‑of‑life lithium‑ion batteries and make better use of the black mass generated during disposal.
With electric vehicle uptake increasing, the UK could produce up to 94,000 tonnes of black mass each year by 2040, containing valuable Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese. At present, the UK lacks a viable domestic processing route, forcing material overseas and losing economic benefit while increasing emissions and dependence on external supply chains.
ReCAM introduces a patented short‑loop refining method that transforms black mass directly into high‑value cathode active material for new batteries. Instead of breaking materials down into individual metals through multi‑stage chemical processing, the system converts mass in a single streamlined step. It also recovers lithium efficiently and operates as a zero‑waste process. Designed as a modular, on‑site solution capable of handling 250 kg per hour, it offers recyclers a more flexible and commercially viable option within the UK.
Dr Ahmed Abdelkarim of Watercycle Technologies said: “By establishing a viable UK-based route for refining battery waste into reusable materials we can unlock significant economic value, reduce emissions associated with exports and enhance the resilience of the UK battery ecosystem.”
Recyclus Group Ltd’s Executive Chairman, Robin Brundle, added: “We are delighted with this award and to be working with such gifted partners. This is a British-centric programme built around UK resilience and that is something we at Recyclus are extremely proud of.”
Polaron will apply its AI‑based materials platform to characterise and optimise recycled cathode materials, linking processing conditions to microstructure and performance. Its AI‑driven cell design tools will speed up the transition from materials to electrodes and from electrodes to cells.
Dr Isaac Squires of Polaron said: “For recycled battery materials to be used again at scale, they need to prove they can be performant. Our role in ReCAM is to help the consortium understand how process conditions shape cathode microstructure and performance, so promising recycled materials can move closer to battery-grade use as quickly as possible.”
The initiative forms part of the UK’s wider £452 million Battery Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade to support the transition to net zero.
Image credit: Project ReCAM
