China holds over three-quarters of pre-treatment capacity and almost 90% of material recovery capacity. Capacity far exceeds the feedstock available today, which is mostly factory scrap.
Why this market is moving now
- Planned projects would lift global pre-treatment capacity almost fourfold by 2030, mostly in China.
- China holds almost 90% of global material recovery capacity, so other regions still depend on new plants being built.
- Battery deployment grew more than sixfold from 2020 to 2025, so end-of-life volumes will rise as these batteries retire.
- Recycling rates for key energy minerals could roughly double from about 10% to close to 20% by 2040.
Key figures
Global figures for this market, with the year each one describes. Use Cite to copy a reference to this page.
| Figure | Value | Year | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global battery recycling pre-treatment capacity had reached almost 4 million tonnes of spent batteries by 2026, and material recovery capacity was over 2 million tonnes of black mass. | 4 million tonnes of spent batteries | 2026 | |
| China held over three-quarters of global battery pre-treatment capacity and almost 90% of global material recovery capacity in 2026. | 90 % of global material recovery capacity | 2026 | |
| Europe held almost 10% of global battery pre-treatment capacity but less than 2% of global material recovery capacity in 2026. | 10 % of global pre-treatment capacity | 2026 | |
| Korea is the leading country outside China for battery material recovery, with 6% of global capacity in 2026. | 6 % of global material recovery capacity | 2026 | |
| The United States held less than 5% of global battery pre-treatment capacity and less than 1% of material recovery capacity in 2026. | 5 % of global pre-treatment capacity | 2026 | |
| Based on announced projects, global pre-treatment capacity is set to rise almost fourfold by 2030 and material recovery capacity more than threefold, with China's share of pre-treatment rising to 85%. | 85 % China share of pre-treatment capacity in 2030 | 2030 | |
| Average recycling rates across key energy minerals are around 10% today and could rise to close to 20% by 2040 under current policy settings. | 20 % average recycling rate by 2040 | 2040 | |
| Total lithium-ion battery deployment across all uses grew more than sixfold worldwide between 2020 and 2025, while most of those batteries are still in service. | sixfold growth 2020 to 2025 | 2025 | |
| CATL, the world's largest battery maker, recycled 210,000 tons of spent batteries in 2025 and regenerated 24,000 tonnes of lithium salts. | 210000 tons of spent batteries | 2025 | |
| Redwood Materials says it recovers over 20 GWh of lithium-ion batteries each year and produces more than 60,000 tons of critical materials a year. | 20 GWh per year | 2026 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Companies to watch
CATL (Brunp)
World's largest battery maker; it recycled 210,000 tons of spent batteries in 2025 through operations that include its recycling subsidiary Brunp.
Redwood Materials
Says it recovers over 20 GWh of lithium-ion batteries a year and more than 95% of critical materials.
Umicore
Belgian materials group that runs a lithium-ion battery recycling operation and says its technology recovers lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper in battery-grade form.
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the global market - 03Global market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Countries and regions
Demand, supply and trade by country and region - 05Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 06Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 07Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 08Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 09Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 10Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 11Method and assumptions
How every figure was built
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is global EV battery recycling capacity?
Global pre-treatment capacity has reached almost 4 million tonnes of spent batteries. Material recovery capacity is over 2 million tonnes of black mass, which is more than the feedstock available today.
Which countries lead battery recycling?
China holds over three-quarters of pre-treatment capacity and almost 90% of material recovery capacity. Korea leads outside China with 6% of material recovery. Europe has almost 10% of pre-treatment but under 2% of material recovery.
How much battery recycling capacity does the United States have?
The United States holds less than 5% of global pre-treatment capacity and less than 1% of global material recovery capacity.
How fast will battery recycling capacity grow?
Based on announced projects, pre-treatment capacity is set to rise almost fourfold by 2030 and material recovery more than threefold. China's share of pre-treatment would rise to 85%.
How much battery recycling does CATL do?
CATL recycled 210,000 tons of spent batteries in 2025 and regenerated 24,000 tonnes of lithium salts.
Who are the main EV battery recycling companies?
CATL, the largest battery maker, recycled 210,000 tons of spent batteries in 2025, partly through its Brunp unit. Redwood Materials says it recovers over 20 GWh of lithium-ion batteries each year.
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