Clean tech innovator Mint Innovation today announced it has secured £8.1 million in funding to significantly advance its technology for recovering critical materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. This strategic investment, alongside key partners JLR, LiBatt Recycling (a subsidiary of Recyclus Group), and WMG at the University of Warwick, aims to establish a circular supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries within the UK.
The collaborative project will focus on demonstrating Mint Innovation’s low-carbon hydrometallurgical black mass refining technology at a larger scale. This initiative is crucial for supporting the UK automotive industry by ensuring an onshore, sustainable supply of lithium, nickel, and cobalt—essential components for EV battery manufacturing.
Each consortium partner plays a vital role in creating a robust and sustainable lifecycle for lithium-ion batteries. This spans from the supply and processing of end-of-life batteries to the integration of recycled materials into new battery production, effectively closing the loop and enhancing supply chain resilience.
Dr. Will Barker, CEO of Mint Innovation, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “Our team is incredibly excited to partner with JLR, LiBatt Recycling, Recyclus Group, and WMG in this innovative consortium,” he stated. “Together, we’re able to advance zero-emission automotive manufacturing at a faster pace, pioneering sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling solutions to secure onshore supply of green materials critical for the UK’s rapidly growing EV industry.” This initiative builds on Mint’s proven success in commercializing low-carbon technology for refining metals from waste printed circuit boards.
Ian Constance, CEO of APC UK, highlighted the broader implications of the investment. “This new investment underlines the commitment from Government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK,” he said. “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.”
Robin Brundle, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Recyclus Group, emphasized the importance of the partnership for the circular battery economy. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating on this ground-breaking project, which marks a major milestone in advancing the UK’s circular battery economy. Securing £4.05 million through the APC is not only a strong vote of confidence in the consortium, but also in the role innovative recycling technologies will play in securing domestic supply of critical materials.” He added, “Mint’s scalable, low-carbon black mass refining process is exactly what the industry needs, and we believe this project will deliver tangible results that move us significantly closer to realising our cradle-to-cradle vision — where end-of-life batteries become the foundation for the next generation.”
Dr. Beth Johnston, Assistant Professor at WMG, University of Warwick, underscored the research’s impact. “We’re incredibly excited to be working in this consortium to manufacture lithium-ion battery materials from recycled sources. Our advanced processes aim to not only deliver high-quality materials that meet the rigorous performance demands of modern battery applications but also help to reduce our reliance on virgin materials, addressing critical supply chain challenges and advancing circularity to pave the way for more widespread and sustainable electrification.”
This significant three-year project is slated for completion in 2028 and will be based in the West Midlands, UK.
