A lack of large-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facilities threatens to leave the UK trailing in Europe’s battery revolution, according to research published by WMG at the University of Warwick.
The report titled ‘Automotive Lithium ion Battery Recycling in the UK’ calls for the UK to move quickly to establish commercial scale recycling for automotive lithium-ion batteries.
The authors suggest the UK will need 140GWh worth of cell production capability by 2040. That would require the sourcing of 133,000 tonnes of cathode metals per year, with recycling fulfilling 22% of this demand (assuming a 60% recycling rate and 40% reuse or remanufacture).
However, the report notes there could be huge deficits between demand and supply.
The report, backed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Faraday Battery Challenge at Innovate UK, signals a major concern for the UK.
There are more than a dozen such large-scale lithium-ion recycling facilities in Europe but none in the UK despite it being the second largest vehicle market— with a 6% electric vehicle market penetration in the first quarter of 2020— in Europe, the report states.
Jacqui Murray (pictured), deputy challenge director of the Faraday Battery Challenge at Innovate UK, said: “To achieve net zero carbon emissions, we need to be thinking about the whole system.
“Recycling of batteries is a challenge we see in the making, yet I am confident we can develop into a successful circular economy in the UK.
“Understanding, sharing and collaborating will accelerate the efforts needed to advance the right technologies and infrastructure to meet the future UK Automotive market.”
Used lithium-ion batteries are shipped to mainland Europe for material recovery.
Dependent on state of health of the pack, chemistry of the pack and size of the pack, shipping costs can make up 75% of the total cost of recycling, which can range from £3/kg to >£8/kg, states the report.
The report also highlights material supply chain concerns, especially if the UK is to develop a battery manufacture industry.
By 2040, the report forecasts there will be 339,000 tonnes of EV batteries reaching their end of their life annually.
Dick Elsy CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult says in the report: “A key part of that future is how we responsibly recycle the materials contained in the batteries and thus create a commercially valuable circular economy. This report is one of the best that I’ve seen to present the challenges and the opportunities in such a clear way.”
