EV battery centre is EMR’s first in UK

EMR has opened its first electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling centre in the UK.

Its new Birmingham plant is the company’s second such facility, having earlier this year opened a site at Hamburg, Germany, in partnership with battery manufacturer Northvolt.

It will have the capacity to test for reuse or repair and process batteries ready for shredding. More than 2 000 tonnes of batteries can be handled per year.

The plant follows EMR’s involvement in the Recovas consortium, a collaborative R&D project launched in 2020 with government funding. The aim is to develop the UK’s first commercial-scale recycling facility for EV battery packs.

Ceremony

The Birmingham facility was officially opened on 18 September during a ceremony attended by consortium partners such as Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, and BMW and other dignataries.

Batteries are being sourced initially via product recalls, warranty failures and end-of-life e-bikes and e-scooters. Packs are assessed to determine whether they can be reused in a new vehicle, remanufactured for use in the energy storage sector or recycled.

‘Exciting chapter’

Chris Sheppard, EMR ceo, called the project an exciting new chapter in the company’s history. ‘The Birmingham facility is the latest in our efforts to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve in sustainability, innovation, and technology.’

‘By creating a circular supply chain for EV batteries, we are not only supporting the UK’s transition to net zero, but we are also setting a benchmark for others to follow in this rapidly evolving industry.’