Glencore recently announced plans for a lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the UK, in partnership with investor Britishvolt.
The facility, with an expected processing capacity of a minimum of 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries per year, will be part of a new recycling plant located at the Britannia Refined Metals operation, a Glencore company based in Northfleet, Kent.
Intake will include, but not be limited to, valuable battery manufacturing scrap, portable electronics batteries, and full EV packs. The facility will process all Britishvolt’s battery manufacturing scrap from its ‘gigafactory’ in Blyth.
The facility is expected to be operational by mid-2023, with Glencore outlining long-term aims as ‘being 100 per cent powered by renewable energy’ and developing other recycling activities such as ‘the refining of black mass into battery-grade raw materials’.
David Brocas, Head Cobalt Trader at Glencore, said: “We are excited to deepen our partnership with Britishvolt. Both companies are united in their ambition to further the energy and mobility transition. Glencore has decades of recycling experience across multiple disciplines (e-waste/copper scrap/battery). This recycling partnership complements our long-term supply agreement for responsible cobalt from our operations in Norway and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We believe the opportunity to utilise BRM’s operations as a cutting-edge battery recycling facility will help support the development of a UK battery recycling industry. It will also play a part in furthering the UK’s climate ambitions as well as Glencore’s as we work towards net zero total emissions by 2050.”
Timon Orlob, Global Chief Operating Officer of Britishvolt, added: “This exciting project adds much to our existing relationship with Glencore supplying Britishvolt with responsibly-sourced cobalt. Recycling is key to a successful energy transition and has always been a major part of Britishvolt’s business model.
“We’ve been looking for the perfect partner to help kick start a UK battery recycling industry and FTSE 100-listed Glencore has expert historical experience in recycling. This JV will help us both to create a truly sustainable battery value-chain, create jobs and develop new battery recycling technologies. Both Britishvolt and Glencore are fully committed to reducing carbon across the supply chain.”
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