Sustainable,
Scalable,
Ecologically Sound
A significant breakthrough in the recycling of ultra-high-value materials within waste Lithium-ion batteries
Harnessing the UK’s
Lithium-ion recycling potential…
Optimising Household 'Gold'
Where there is a rechargeable battery pack there are Li-ion batteries. The responsible recycling of rechargeable Li-ion batteries will reduce the UK’s e-waste which was valued at $1.25 billion in 2021.
Sustainably Sound
Owing to its improved sorting and shredding, its reductions in smelting and its low waste processing techniques, Lithium Salvage can save
8 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of Li-ion batteries recycled.
Exponential Demand
A significant shortage of battery materials, including Copper and Graphite, is forecast by 2030. At the same time the amount of waste
batteries being generated in the UK is increasing by 30%. The UK battery market anticipates that 6% of its requirement will come from recycled batteries.
Burgeoning UK Market
There are currently no end-to-end household Li-ion battery recyclers based in the UK, only a small number of companies shredding and sorting. All material then gets shipped offshore for ‘burning’ or recycling - resulting in the loss to UK Plc of Lithium and degradation of other high-value precious metals.
Did you know?
Household Lithium-ion batteries contain the highly prized ‘rare earth’ metals and materials Nickel, Manganese, Cobalt, Lithium, Copper and Graphite.
While these values will fluctuate, 2023 averages as follows:
$21k/T
Nickel*
$2k/T
Manganese*
$33k/T
Colbalt*
$52k/T
Lithium*
$9k/T
Copper*
$3k/T
Graphite*
* Sources: London Metal Exchange | S&P Platts | Fastmarkets
What’s more, the anticipated growth in available Lithium-ion batteries for recycling is +30% CAGR and is currently estimated at 140kT in 2025 alone.
“Teesside University is delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking INNOVATE research project with Lithium Salvage, which aims to commercialise a climate friendly process for the recycling of Li-Batteries. We do a great deal of work in this space and collaboration is key in projects such as this which will have positive benefits on our environmental and sustainability objectives.”
Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Harnessing clean-tech
and environmentally sustainable chemistry
In June 2023, the development of Lithium Salvage was kick-started by a £941k INNOVATE grant from the UK Government. The team had already spent two years researching, planning and developing its collaborative groundbreaking approach to the recycling of waste Li-ion batteries with the UK’s Teesside University and the Centre for Process Innovation.
Based on existing technology, with clean-tech improvements, this approach works in a clean, low-impact way using more environmentally sustainable chemistry to extract more and higher-purity metals from Li-ion batteries, priming them for resale.
Processing
Feedstock batteries, classified as Class 9 hazardous material, are supplied utilising existing, safety certified, transport links. On arrival, batteries are fed into a single- stage shredding process.
Shredding
Batteries are shredded and then plastics are separated from ferrous and non-ferrous particles, foils (copper/ aluminium), electrolytes, carbon (graphite) and black mass.
Cleaning
Black mass is taken through additional ‘cleaning’ steps to leave it in as ‘pure’ as possible. It is now a non-hazardous material.
Chemical Separation
The plant chemically separates the seven metals present in separated black mass. Four are commercially important (Lithium, Manganese, Cobalt and Nickel). Metals from the black mass are solubilised and then precipitated as pure metal salts, with zero/minimal waste.
"NorthEast Capital is delighted to be supporting the Lithium Salvage team that are addressing today’s Lithium-ion battery recycling problem of thousands of tonnes of waste household batteries which contain a very significant amount of untapped value."
Dr Mark Rahn, Partner
Answering the global call for the recycling of Lithium-ion battery materials
A predicted worldwide shortage of Li-ion batteries, a surge in demand due to the booming EV market and a need to fast-track recycling in line with changing legislation. Why is championing a more efficient way to recycle Li-ion batteries on home soil so vital? Well…
98%
Capturing 98% of the batteries high-value materials
Lithium Salvage will be able to deploy its turnkey sustainable process to retrieve more than 98% of the shredded recycled battery material (aka black mass) which includes the highly-prized Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese and Lithium.
Lithium Salvage has convened nine partners including technical experts, waste recyclers, and metal trading experts. Together, we will make a valuable contribution to the UK’s demand for Li-ion battery materials.
<10yrs
Time for transformation is ticking
Two big milestones are approaching as the battery industry strives to outstrip demand. By 2025, new EU regulations state that all new electrical items must contain compulsory minimum levels of recycled content for reuse in new industrial, and EV batteries: 6% for Lithium and Nickel, 16% for Cobalt and 85% for Lead. Every battery will be required to specify the amount of recycled content it contains. WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) will be separating Li-ion batteries to meet specific recycling targets.
>70%
Solving 2030’s predicted challenges, now
By 2030, it won’t just be household appliances that contain Li-ion batteries, prime for recycling. End-of-life car batteries too are set to become available in less than a decade in commercially viable volumes.
With a wholesale consensus that a worldwide shortage of Li-ion battery materials looms, upcoming legislation will mandate the recycling of end-of-life batteries and the inclusion of recycled materials in new batteries. Material trading will shift, requiring recycling efficiency of over 70% by 2030, with minimum recycled content for Nickel, Cobalt, and Lithium. These minimums increase by 2035.
“Gaspara is excited to be working with the Lithium Salvage team as they develop the UK’s first end-to-end domestic Lithium-ion battery waste recycling process. With a very experienced team, supported by world-class academic and commercial partners the company is set to make its mark in the emerging green economy of the North East. With over 150,000MT of battery waste already being collected and exported out of the UK, they are solving a problem that exists today while creating a new supply of recycled critical materials for the growing UK battery manufacturing supply chain.”
Jonny Allen, CIO, Gaspara, part of Pennine Energy Group
150 years!
Cumulative experience in commercialising technology
With a genuine passion and excitement for fast-tracking the UK’s clean, Lithium-ion battery recycling operations, the Lithium Salvage team are true experts and best placed to drive this innovative industry development forward.
Duncan Noble
Chief Executive Officer
With 25 years in tech-centred businesses and six years as a Plc Board Director, Duncan has a proven history of delivery in the technology and service industries. A commercially minded, skilled leader.
Richard Henderson
Chief Financial Officer
Chartered accountant and 20-year venture capitalist, Richard not only has decades of experience across the venture capital and private equity industry but is a strong business development professional skilled in business planning, entrepreneurship, and corporate law.
David Livesley
Chief Technical Officer
An Industrial Chemist with many years of experience developing industrial processes and 20 years as a venture capitalist, David brings an incredible wealth of experience from multiple high volume industries to the Lithium Salvage team.
Simon Robeson
Chairman & Founder
A specialist in the commercialisation of IP-rich high-growth companies, Simon founded Lithium Salvage following 25 years of investment banking and venture capital experience, specifically in science and engineering-underpinned companies across Europe, the US, North Africa and Central Asia.
“CPI is delighted to collaborate with Lithium Salvage on this innovative Li-ion recycling project. Their advanced approach to recovering essential materials like Nickel, Manganese, Cobalt, and Graphite from batteries and electronic waste represents a significant step in sustainable manufacturing. This partnership exemplifies our joint commitment to innovative solutions for key environmental challenges, aligning with our goal of advancing sustainable technology for a better future.”
Frank Millar, CEO, Centre for Process Innovation
The Foundations of Lithium Salvage
Lithium Salvage was founded by Simon Robeson, the Managing Partner of NorthEast Capital (NEC) team in 2020. Following the appointment of Duncan Noble as CEO in 2021, the team was successful in its application to secure funding through the UK Government’s INNOVATE process.
As additional team members joined the good ship, Lithium Salvage, two of the UK’s most experienced recycling industry experts who work at Board level within two highly profitable materials recovery and recycling businesses joined Lithium Salvage in a non-executive capacity.
Today, while NEC continues to provide financial, strategic and technical services to Lithium Salvage in its capacity as a climate tech industry, technology and finance specialist, the entire team works collectively to ensure the vast opportunity for the UK to secure and process Lithium-ion battery supplies doesn’t pass by untapped.
Proudly based in the North East of England, Lithium Salvage is continuing the area’s history of industrial activity, accessing the wealth of skills that already exist in the region and championing not only the UK’s stake in the race to net zero through Lithium-ion battery recycling but its workforce agenda too.
Forging meaningful partnerships
Spearheading talent that already lies in the North East, Lithium Salvage is proud to partner with consortium and sub-contracting partners including:
- GAP Group – the recycler processes 1000s of tonnes of valuable household waste each year, helped by its own logistics expertise and fleet of lorries.
- Teesside University and Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) – a hub for prized technical expertise working at the forefront of the industry.
- Pennine Energy Group – An expert in metals strategy and pricing, working with Lithium Salvage to maximise profitability. The Pennine Team includes a number of Trafigura’s former senior leadership team.
- 6 Engineering
“As a fervent supporter of innovative ventures, I am confident in expressing my belief that Lithium Salvage is poised for unparalleled success, making it an excellent choice for potential investors or collaborative partners. From the outset, it became evident to me that LS is not merely a business, but a dynamic force propelled by a visionary team dedicated to pushing boundaries and to shape what is an infant sector of industry.”
Peter Moody, Group CEO
Get in touch for more information
Lithium Salvage has a unique vision to launch the UK’s first clean and efficient household Lithium-ion battery recycling facility.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the project, get in touch with us today: