Resource management company Veolia has announced its first electric vehicle battery recycling facility in the UK, which will have the capacity to process 20% of the country’s end of life EV batteries by 2024.
The new facility in Minworth, West Midlands, marks the first step in developing its recycling technology and treatment capacity within the UK, Veolia said.
Initially, the plant will discharge and dismantle batteries before the mechanical and chemical separation recycling processes will be completed. In addition, Veolia plans to utilise its global network to establish a full circular economy solution in the next five years to produce battery precursors in Europe.
“We will not reach carbon neutrality without increasing our investment and development of new technologies and recycling opportunities,” said Gavin Graveson, Veolia senior executive vice-president, Northern Europe.
“As the demand for electric vehicles increases, we will need this facility – and more like it in the UK – to ensure we don’t hit a resource crisis in the next decade.
“Alongside other projects across the globe, bringing Veolia’s expertise to the UK recognises the size of the national market and appetite to recycle locally and responsibly. Urban mining is essential if we are to protect raw materials and will in turn create a new, high-skilled industry.”
