How RECOVAS helped deliver the UK’s first circular supply chain for EV batteries

Helen Waters, Head of Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling, EMR

2025-06-11

Just four years ago, a circular economy for electric vehicle (EV) batteries felt like a distant ambition. Today, it's a reality.

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When the RECOVAS project began in January 2021, our aim was to create the UK’s first fully circular supply chain for end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. I’m incredibly proud to say: we’ve done just that.

Led by EMR and funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre, RECOVAS brought together recyclers, car makers, engineers, researchers and policymakers — each committed to building the skills, infrastructure and technology needed for the UK’s next automotive chapter.

At the heart of this success is EMR’s new EV Battery Centre in Birmingham. It’s the most advanced of its kind in the UK, capable of safely identifying batteries for reuse or remanufacture, and recovering key materials.

You can read more about the partnership’s achievements here.

Of course, this is just the beginning. But before looking ahead, it’s important to reflect on how far we’ve come.

From vision to reality

In 2020, there were very few European examples of companies collaborating at this scale to increase circularity in the automotive sector. Many were understandably cautious. We have to credit the OEMs – BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Bentley Motors – for joining us and committing to a different way of working.

Together, we built a transparent, cooperative environment where knowledge could be shared without compromising commercial sensitivities.

The result? A dedicated facility designed to process the EV batteries of today, when they reach end-of-life tomorrow.

Other major achievements include:

• BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Bentley Motors – Developed supply chain guidance to ensure new EVs are designed with reuse, remanufacturing and recycling in mind.
• Autocraft Drivetrain Systems – Created mobile triage, battery testing and remanufacturing units.
• Connected Energy – Developed second-life technology to convert batteries into energy storage systems.
• University of Warwick – Researched how to recover lithium and other metals from black mass.
• UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) – Delivered lifecycle analysis and economic modelling.
• Health & Safety Executive (HSE) – Investigated risks posed by hazardous materials released during battery shredding.

Staying the course

Back in 2020, corporate pledges to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental performance were everywhere. Many have since been delayed or quietly dropped.

But not RECOVAS. Through four years of sustained collaboration, we’ve delivered on our commitment – and created a blueprint for future success.

What comes next

While I’m proud to say this vision has now become a reality, there’s still much more to do.

Further collaboration across the entire supply chain is essential if we’re to create a truly circular economy for all EV batteries – and other lithium-ion batteries – in the UK.

RECOVAS has shown what’s possible. We’re now in active discussions with several vehicle manufacturers about how we can help meet upcoming legislation and keep driving this progress forward. Additionally, the RECOVAS foundation has allowed us to use the same processes across other sectors, such as energy storage, aviation, marine and rail. It has also opened up discussions about how to handle damaged batteries, which either can’t be removed from the car or are not safe to manually disassemble. Watch this space for further collaboration to solve this issue.

The road ahead is long, but we’re no longer at the start line.

Let’s keep moving – together.