ICoNiChem and NOVONIX Lead Battery Recycling Innovation

ICoNiChem, a UK-based cobalt and nickel production plant owned by Cengiz Holding, has launched a pioneering project with Canadian battery technology company NOVONIX to advance sustainable battery materials.

The partnership, part of the Canada-UK 2024 Critical Minerals Program, aims to recover nickel, cobalt and lithium from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries to produce new cathode materials essential for EV batteries.

Expanding battery recycling capacity in the UK

ICoNiChem’s facility in Widnes, England, is strategically positioned to address increasing demand for sustainable and locally-sourced battery components.

Cengiz Holding, one of Türkiye’s largest industrial groups, has chosen ICoNiChem to spearhead this environmentally-critical effort in collaboration with NOVONIX, a leader in battery technology based in Canada.

The project, which is receiving US$205,866 in funding from the UK’s Faraday Institute, focuses on refining nickel, cobalt and lithium from “black mass”—a recycled material from used EV batteries and manufacturing scrap.

NOVONIX’s role in the collaboration involves synthesising these recovered metals into cathode active materials. These are fundamental for the next generation of EV batteries, positioning the project as a significant step toward a closed-loop battery production system.

'Huge step' towards zero waste

Currently, ICoNiChem processes approximately 250 tons of black mass annually, enabling it to recover about 25 tons of nickel and cobalt each year. 

Berk Şengül, Managing Director, ICoNiChem notes: "This cooperation signifies a huge step towards zero waste and a strengthened critical materials supply chain.”

The project’s aim to add lithium to its list of recovered materials will mark a groundbreaking moment for battery recycling, as Berk explains: "In this project, we will recover commercially-critical raw materials and recycle them into batteries with the addition of lithium that we recover in our laboratories. NOVONIX will synthesise the purified metal salts and process them into cathode active material.”

The success of the project could lead to a commercial-scale implementation – a potential first for lithium recovery in Europe.

Reducing carbon footprint and supporting the UK’s green economy

The project has a dual purpose: creating a sustainable source of battery materials and reducing the environmental impact of EVs by closing the loop on battery production. 

“While the EV market is ever-growing all over the world, the future of end-of-life batteries remains a hot topic on the global agenda,” Berk highlights.

By recycling these batteries locally in the UK, the project aims to minimise the environmental footprint associated with EV batteries.

The innovative approach aligns with the UK government’s green agenda and the EU’s evolving circular economy goals. By reusing materials from decommissioned EV batteries, ICoNiChem and NOVONIX are building a self-sustaining, lower-carbon battery supply chain that could be scaled across Europe and beyond.

Moving toward a circular economy in battery production

The ICoNiChem and NOVONIX partnership sets a critical precedent for the battery industry, aiming to create a closed-loop supply chain that leverages waste for new production.

After two years of developing and testing, the project will undergo electrification tests to validate the effectiveness of the recycled materials. Should these tests prove successful, ICoNiChem and NOVONIX will consider advancing the project into a full-scale commercial operation.

With this partnership, the Canada-UK 2024 Critical Minerals Program supports efforts to secure critical minerals and bring sustainable battery technology to the forefront.

As the need for raw materials like nickel, cobalt and lithium continues to grow, the recycling model proposed by ICoNiChem and NOVONIX represents a crucial innovation for the electric vehicle market’s future.

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