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EMR’s investment in Renewable Metals paves the way for sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling in the UK

Global leader in sustainable materials, EMR, has invested to acquire a significant stake in Australian-owned Renewable Metals, as part of a deal which will see a novel demonstration-scale battery shredding and critical minerals refining plant built in the UK.

 

EMR's investment in Renewable Metals paves the way for sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling in the UK dbc
Duddeston battery centre

Renewable Metals have developed a highly differentiated recycling process which has fewer steps than existing recycling routes for lithium-ion batteries.

This process can deliver higher recovery rates without producing sodium sulfate and is better suited to handling the variability in chemistry of end of life Li-Ion batteries.

The two-stage process takes discharged battery modules, with the shredding and refining steps yielding LME grade nickel and copper, as well as cobalt, lithium and manganese salts, all of which can go directly back into the battery supply chain.

As part of a multi-million deal, EMR – the largest end-of-life vehicle recycler in the UK – will commit end-of-life batteries to the state-of-the-art, large demonstrator plant and it will be built at EMR’s R&D complex in Birmingham which already permitted to handle end of life automotive battery packs.

The facility will be able to process automotive, e-mobility (such as e-bikes and e-scooters), industrial, domestic and portable lithium-ion batteries.

This investment will allow EMR to deliver, at demonstrator scale, a truly circular solution for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries in the UK, enabling material from end-of-life batteries to be used back in new products.

This deal forms part of EMR’s long-term commitment to innovation and to developing world-leading technologies for recycling end-of-life vehicles (ELV) including Electric Vehicles (EV) and batteries.

The new facility is due to be operational in the first half of 2025, subject to permitting approvals.

The technology used at the plant will deliver a lower carbon, more environmentally friendly solution for lithium-ion battery material recovery, significantly reducing the quantity of byproducts and consumption of chemicals used in their processing.

Strategy

Roger Morton, Managing Director for Technology and Innovation at EMR, said:

“We’re delighted to finalise this agreement with Renewable Metals, with whom we have developed a fantastic relationship.

The team behind Renewable Metals have a world class reputation in this field developed over many years, so we are thrilled to be working together with them on this exciting project.

EV battery recycling is a challenge we are working extremely hard to deliver and that is exactly what we’re doing here.

This investment fits perfectly with EMR’s global strategy to deliver more sustainable materials for the UK and European automotive industry.

Renewable Metals’ technology is a highly cost-effective and scalable solution which fits into our broader long-term global strategy for this market, where we are actively developing multiple new collaborations. The team at EMR can’t wait to see Renewable Metals ramp up their production over the next year.”

Luan Atkinson, CEO of Renewable Metals, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to have the opportunity to demonstrate the cost and environmental advantages of our technology at a larger scale, and looking forward to a future in the UK with EMR.”

Market

The recycling of EV batteries is an essential element in creating a low carbon impact circular supply chain for electric vehicles, as the industry prepares for their widespread uptake over the next decade.

EMR is committed to solving the challenges of tomorrow and is investing in ways to tackle the global recycling challenge of EV batteries when they reach end of life.

The Renewable Metals investment forms a key part of this strategy, helping to bring a potentially game changing technology to the UK market and enable circularity in EV battery recycling.

For more information on EMR, visit our website at uk.emrgroup.com or call  01925 715400

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Adam Hewitt

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e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management [e2e] is the UK’s only salvage and automotive recycling network with nationwide, environmentally compliant sites delivering performance resilience and service reliability to the insurance and fleet markets.  The network’s online salvage auction www.salvagemarket.co.uk drives strong salvage resale values and faster sales.  e2e’s salvage clients have access to the network’s stocks of over 5 million quality graded, warranty assured reclaimed parts. 

The power of the network model means e2e has the ability to influence industry standards and is committed to continually raising the bar whilst redefining the role and perceived value of the salvage operator.  Network members adhere to robust service level agreements, against which they are audited, in order to ensure performance consistency and a market leading customer experience.  

The salvage and recycling operating environment is evolving rapidly, and e2e is anticipating, listening and responding to changing market needs.  Regulatory compliance, ESG, reclaimed parts, customer experience, EVs, new vehicle technologies, data and reputation risk are just some of many considerations linked to the procurement of salvage services.  e2e will drive further added value to clients and members through the adoption and application of emerging technologies, continuing to differentiate its proposition and position salvage services as a professional partnership. 

Owain Griffiths

Owain Griffiths

Head of Circular Economy at Volvo Cars

Owain joined Volvo Cars in June 2021 to lead Circular Economy in the Global Sustainability Team. The company has committed to being a circular business by 2040 and has financial, recycled content and CO2 based targets for 2025, all of which Owain is working across the company to make happen. Owain previously worked for circular economy consultancy Oakdene Hollins where he advised businesses on evidence led circular economy implementation. 

Turning into a circular business and the importance of vehicle reuse and recycling.

The presentation will cover the work Volvo Cars is doing to achieve 2025 but mainly focus on the transformational work towards 2040 and the business and value chain changes being considered. Attention will be paid to the way vehicles are being dealt with at the end of life and the complexities of closing material and component loops. Opportunities and challenges which Volvo Cars is facing will be presented including engagement with 3rd parties and increasing pressure from stakeholders.

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