Mint Innovation, a clean tech pioneer, has secured £8.1 million in funding to propel its advanced lithium battery recycling platform. This investment will drive the development and demonstration of its low-carbon hydrometallurgical process, designed to extract lithium, nickel, and cobalt from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. The project is a strategic collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), LiBatt Recycling (a subsidiary of the Recyclus Group), and WMG at the University of Warwick. Together, they aim to bolster the UK’s domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and diminish reliance on imported raw materials.
Dr Will Barker, CEO of Mint Innovation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Our team is incredibly excited to partner with JLR, LiBatt Recycling, Recyclus Group, and WMG in this innovative consortium. Together, we’re able to advance zero-emission automotive manufacturing at a faster pace, pioneering sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling solutions to secure an onshore supply of green materials critical for the UK’s rapidly growing EV industry.”
As electric vehicle adoption surges, so does the volume of spent batteries. Forecasts from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) estimate that the UK could generate 235 kilotons of EV battery waste by 2040. Currently, the UK lacks industrial-scale facilities capable of processing these batteries into verified, high-quality recycled materials for reuse. This project aims to bridge that gap, establishing a domestic supply chain for essential battery components and reducing dependence on imported materials. Each consortium partner plays a vital role, from supplying and processing used batteries to reintegrating recycled materials into new battery systems.
Ian Constance, CEO of APC UK, highlighted the significance of the investment: “This new investment underlines the commitment from the government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK. I am pleased that the APC, Zenzic, and its delivery partners are here to facilitate a new wave of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, driving scale-up, and enabling transformation.”
This initiative is part of the UK Government’s DRIVE35 programme, a £2.5 billion effort to transform the automotive industry and enhance green manufacturing capabilities. By supporting onshore processing of critical materials, the programme aims to strengthen economic resilience and help the UK meet its net-zero emissions targets. The lithium battery recycling project will be based in the West Midlands and is set to run over three years, concluding in 2028. The region, already a hub for automotive innovation, provides the ideal location for scaling and testing the technology.
As the UK accelerates its transition to electric mobility, developing efficient, scalable lithium battery recycling solutions is essential. Projects like this not only reduce environmental harm and reliance on mining but also lay the foundation for a resilient, self-sufficient battery supply chain. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and cross-sector collaboration, the UK is positioning itself at the forefront of the global shift toward a circular, low-carbon economy.