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She has been involved with Benchmark's recycling forecast since March 2022, tracking regional advancements in battery recycling infrastructure, technologies, and policy frameworks to build up a global understanding of the lithium-ion battery recycling market. She completed her PhD in battery recycling in March 2024, which has given her an in-depth technical understanding of lithium-ion battery recycling techniques.","a226747f-ddc4-446b-8599-a6edeff600b0",{"id":551,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":552,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":554,"is_external_url":50},153367789257270,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/3035x3794/a96e9c1415/beatrice-browning-2024-2.jpg","asset",{},"https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beatrice-browning-20940b78/","author","Battery Recycling Technology Lead","Recycling",[],[],[562,882,1070,1267,1389],{"id":563,"uuid":564,"name":565,"slug":566,"full_slug":567,"content":568},173990225337459,"75899671-0912-4901-9329-9beb66e377f9","Why is the US battery recycling market struggling? 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He also acts as a liaison to the press. He has a PhD in electrochemistry from the University of Nottingham.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdmatthew/",{"type":592,"content":593},"doc",[594,621,644,680,688,705,719,727,763,771,781,794,802,815,828,836],{"type":595,"attrs":596,"content":597},"paragraph",{"textAlign":49},[598,605,616],{"text":599,"type":600,"marks":601},"In April 2026, ","text",[602],{"type":603,"attrs":604},"textStyle",{"color":547},{"text":574,"type":600,"marks":606},[607,614],{"type":608,"attrs":609},"link",{"href":610,"uuid":611,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/videos/producing-battery-materials-in-the-us-interview-with-ascend-elements-co-founder-eric-gatz","6811f817-e5b9-4462-865e-1f9fcc384df3","_self","story",{"type":603,"attrs":615},{"color":547},{"text":617,"type":600,"marks":618}," filed for bankruptcy, citing “insurmountable” financial challenges despite having raised over USD 1.1 billion. It will continue operations through the Chapter 11 restructuring process. ",[619],{"type":603,"attrs":620},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":622,"content":624},{"textAlign":623},"left",[625,630,639],{"text":626,"type":600,"marks":627},"The company faced headwinds from a slowdown in the ",[628],{"type":603,"attrs":629},{"color":547},{"text":631,"type":600,"marks":632},"US electric vehicle market",[633,637],{"type":608,"attrs":634},{"href":635,"uuid":636,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/article/us-ev-demand-shift-and-bess-growth-who-deployed-the-most-batteries-in-2025-","efc32e74-520d-4632-b92b-53006fecdeef",{"type":603,"attrs":638},{"color":547},{"text":640,"type":600,"marks":641},", alongside the withdrawal of the unspent portion of its $316 million grant the US Department of Energy (DOE) for its Kentucky facility. ",[642],{"type":603,"attrs":643},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":645,"content":646},{"textAlign":623},[647,652,661,666,675],{"text":648,"type":600,"marks":649},"This marks the second bankruptcy at a major US ",[650],{"type":603,"attrs":651},{"color":547},{"text":653,"type":600,"marks":654},"battery recycler",[655,659],{"type":608,"attrs":656},{"href":657,"uuid":658,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/videos/what-are-the-recent-global-trends-for-the-recycling-industry","143d86b7-e6fc-4330-91a9-1219ccb41f56",{"type":603,"attrs":660},{"color":547},{"text":662,"type":600,"marks":663},", following ",[664],{"type":603,"attrs":665},{"color":547},{"text":667,"type":600,"marks":668},"Li-Cycle’s",[669,673],{"type":608,"attrs":670},{"href":671,"uuid":672,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/article/the-bottleneck-in-the-industry-is-on-the-refining-capacity-qa-with-li-cycle-co-founder-tim-johnston","935fbe25-803c-42fc-980f-f3a6aa0ec3b2",{"type":603,"attrs":674},{"color":547},{"text":676,"type":600,"marks":677}," collapse in May 2025, underscoring increasing financial stress across the sector. ",[678],{"type":603,"attrs":679},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":681,"content":682},{"textAlign":623},[683],{"text":684,"type":600,"marks":685},"Today, many North American recycling companies remain small- to mid-sized startups operating in a structurally challenging environment characterised by overseas reliance, limited feedstock availability, high capital intensity, and dependence on government support. As the industry develops, further consolidation and financial challenges could well become more common. ",[686],{"type":603,"attrs":687},{"color":547},{"type":689,"attrs":690,"content":692},"heading",{"level":691,"textAlign":623},2,[693,700],{"text":694,"type":600,"marks":695},"Key challenges in the US recycling market",[696,698],{"type":603,"attrs":697},{"color":547},{"type":699},"bold",{"text":701,"type":600,"marks":702}," ",[703],{"type":603,"attrs":704},{"color":547},{"type":689,"attrs":706,"content":708},{"level":707,"textAlign":623},3,[709,715],{"text":710,"type":600,"marks":711},"Low scrap volumes and shifting chemistry landscape",[712,714],{"type":603,"attrs":713},{"color":547},{"type":699},{"text":701,"type":600,"marks":716},[717],{"type":603,"attrs":718},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":720,"content":721},{"textAlign":623},[722],{"text":723,"type":600,"marks":724},"Since 2025, US EV market growth has underperformed expectations due to policy shifts, such as the removal of the federal tax credits on EVs, resulting in repeated suspensions and cancellations of battery production projects. This has constrained upstream battery output growth and intensified competition amongst recyclers for limited production scrap feedstock, placing pressure on utilisation rates and thus margins. ",[725],{"type":603,"attrs":726},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":728,"content":729},{"textAlign":623},[730,735,744,749,758],{"text":731,"type":600,"marks":732},"At the same time, the rapid expansion of the battery energy stationary storage (BESS) market alongside the shift from ",[733],{"type":603,"attrs":734},{"color":547},{"text":736,"type":600,"marks":737},"NCM to LFP chemistry",[738,742],{"type":608,"attrs":739},{"href":740,"uuid":741,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/article/lges-signs-4-3-billion-bess-cell-supply-deal-with-tesla","c9e36cab-5f2c-4a05-9341-1aad24c0277d",{"type":603,"attrs":743},{"color":547},{"text":745,"type":600,"marks":746}," is reshaping the traditional North American recycling landscape. This transition is forcing recyclers to adapt their business models to changing feedstock composition and end-market demand. For example, Redwood Materials has increased its focus on battery second-life applications, repositioning itself more directly within the ",[747],{"type":603,"attrs":748},{"color":547},{"text":750,"type":600,"marks":751},"BESS value chain",[752,756],{"type":608,"attrs":753},{"href":754,"uuid":755,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/article/us-bess-cell-demand-outstripping-north-american-production-until-2028-despite-tariffs","e10ddd56-09be-471c-ab8b-7f1503670661",{"type":603,"attrs":757},{"color":547},{"text":759,"type":600,"marks":760},". ",[761],{"type":603,"attrs":762},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":764,"content":765},{"textAlign":623},[766],{"text":767,"type":600,"marks":768},"Maintaining consistent access to feedstock remains a central factor in recycler resilience. Greater integration with upstream and downstream segments can help mitigate volatility and strengthen operational stability. ",[769],{"type":603,"attrs":770},{"color":547},{"type":772,"attrs":773},"blok",{"id":774,"body":775},"6a16ce63-dd2a-42be-8161-21e4f3ea3941",[776],{"id":777,"_uid":778,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28871648","i-389a22bf-1fc1-4228-bea9-6231cebe886f","visualisation","ContentFlourish",{"type":689,"attrs":782,"content":783},{"level":707,"textAlign":623},[784,790],{"text":785,"type":600,"marks":786},"Policy uncertainty and declining DOE funding",[787,789],{"type":603,"attrs":788},{"color":547},{"type":699},{"text":701,"type":600,"marks":791},[792],{"type":603,"attrs":793},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":795,"content":796},{"textAlign":623},[797],{"text":798,"type":600,"marks":799},"Many US recyclers have historically depended on DOE funding to support expansion projects. However, increasing policy uncertainty and funding cancellations have forced companies to delay or pause capacity growth plans and seek alternative financing sources, such as private investment. This has weakened long-term visibility and increased execution risk in an already capital-intensive industry. ",[800],{"type":603,"attrs":801},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":803,"content":804},{"textAlign":623},[805,810],{"text":806,"type":600,"marks":807},"While policy support, especially DOE funding in the US, has been a major catalyst for industry growth, heavy reliance on public funding creates structural vulnerability and should not be depended upon to create a viable business model.",[808],{"type":603,"attrs":809},{"color":547},{"text":701,"type":600,"marks":811},[812],{"type":603,"attrs":813},{"color":814},"#D13438",{"type":689,"attrs":816,"content":817},{"level":707,"textAlign":623},[818,824],{"text":819,"type":600,"marks":820},"Technology complexity with rising commercialisation costs",[821,823],{"type":603,"attrs":822},{"color":547},{"type":699},{"text":701,"type":600,"marks":825},[826],{"type":603,"attrs":827},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":829,"content":830},{"textAlign":623},[831],{"text":832,"type":600,"marks":833},"The complexity of technological hurdles in battery recycling, especially black mass refining, together with escalating commercialisation costs, has often been underestimated, placing increasing pressure on US recyclers. This has led several developers to revisit their original process routes to improve economics and simplify operations. ",[834],{"type":603,"attrs":835},{"color":547},{"type":595,"attrs":837,"content":838},{"textAlign":623},[839],{"text":840,"type":600,"marks":841},"Ascend Elements, for example, shifted from earlier Hydro-to-Cathode plans towards lithium carbonate production to streamline processing and enhance project viability. Similarly, Li-Cycle was forced to restructure its hub-based hydrometallurgical model, from chemical production to lithium and MHP production, amid cost overruns and scalability challenges, but ultimately failed to execute its strategy and entered bankruptcy.",[842],{"type":603,"attrs":843},{"color":547},"In April 2026, Ascend Elements filed for bankruptcy, citing “insurmountable” financial challenges despite having raised over USD 1.1 billion. It will continue operations through the Chapter 11 restructuring process. \n\nThe company faced headwinds from a slowdown in the US electric vehicle market, alongside the withdrawal of the unspent portion of its $316 million grant the US Department of Energy (DOE) for its Kentucky facility. \n\nThis marks the second bankruptcy at a major US battery recycler, following Li-Cycle’s collapse in May 2025, underscoring increasing financial stress across the sector. ",[846,856,866],{"slug":847,"name":848,"content":849},"jessie-xu","Jessie Xu",{"job_title":850,"image":851,"bio":853,"linkedin":854,"markets_covered":855},"Senior Analyst - Recycling",{"filename":852},"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/400x400/b507d64652/jessie-xu.jpeg","Jessie is a Senior Analyst on the downstream team covering the global battery recycling market. She also leads research on the Chinese battery recycling market. She works closely on the Battey Recycling Capacity Database and Battery Recycling Forecast. Jessie graduated from the University College London with a MSc degree in Geoscience.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiexu687/","Battery recycling ",{"slug":857,"name":858,"content":859},"frederick-bloomfield","Frederick Bloomfield",{"job_title":860,"image":861,"bio":863,"linkedin":864,"markets_covered":865},"Senior Analyst",{"filename":862},"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/512x512/f55b7d4d79/freddie-bloomfield.jpeg","Frederick is a Senior Analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence researching battery materials. His main areas of focus are lithium and battery recycling markets in Europe, North America and Asia. Before joining Benchmark, Frederick received his Master's degree in Green Chemistry at Imperial College London. With a particular interest in black mass trading, Frederick regularly speaks with players across the global battery recycling market, where he has gained extensive knowledge of trade flows, prices and policy on top of information on the wider recycling value chain, such as gate fees, tolling fees and the price of battery scrap and other recycled intermediates.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederick-bloomfield/","Black mass, lithium, nickel",{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":867},{"job_title":557,"image":868,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":558},{"filename":552},"article",[871],{"slug":872,"name":558},"recycling","private",{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":875},{},{"id":877,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":878,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":879,"is_external_url":50},129065133139506,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/93edcc0388/bm-ascend-elements-recycling.jpg",{},"In April 2026, Ascend Elements filed for bankruptcy, citing “insurmountable” financial challenges despite having raised over USD 1.1 billion. It will continue operations through the Chapter 11 restructuring process. ","May 07, 2026",{"id":883,"uuid":884,"name":885,"slug":886,"full_slug":887,"content":888},167951418152229,"7870068a-8393-4e3b-8c1b-9bb08d5f59ed","Dry vs wet shredding: Which is best for black mass quality?","dry-vs-wet-shredding-which-is-best-for-black-mass-quality-","article/dry-vs-wet-shredding-which-is-best-for-black-mass-quality-",{"_uid":889,"date":890,"tags":891,"editor":897,"content":907,"excerpt":1054,"featured":51,"reporter":1055,"component":869,"seo_title":885,"categories":1059,"visibility":1061,"data_vis_image":1062,"featured_image":1064,"seo_description":1068,"formattedDate":1069},"f8afd896-d6f1-4ec5-90e3-de40d2bff283","2026-04-22 00:00",[892,894],{"slug":893,"name":373},"black-mass",{"slug":895,"name":896},"battery-recycling-technology","Battery recycling technology",[898],{"slug":899,"name":900,"content":901},"benjamin-roche","Benjamin Roche",{"job_title":902,"image":903,"bio":905,"linkedin":906},"Editor – Energy Transition Supply Chains",{"filename":904},"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/800x800/66d6674fb8/benjamin-roche.png","Benjamin is Benchmark's Editor for Energy Transition Supply Chains, covering both upstream products like critical minerals and downstream products including energy storage systems and electric vehicles. He has previous experience covering trade flows, tariffs and the effects of geopolitics on supply chains.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrochecontent/",{"type":592,"content":908},[909,933,955,969,977,985,993,1001,1008,1016,1024,1032,1038,1046],{"type":595,"attrs":910,"content":911},{"textAlign":49},[912,918,928],{"text":913,"type":600,"marks":914},"The recycling of battery scrap typically begins with a mechanical pretreatment step to produce ",[915],{"type":603,"attrs":916},{"color":917},"#000000",{"text":919,"type":600,"marks":920},"black mass",[921,926],{"type":608,"attrs":922},{"href":923,"uuid":924,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},"/article/china-reduces-import-tariffs-for-recycled-black-mass","b30cf2f8-8f83-40e9-8d1f-5775ac7c0b60","_blank",{"type":603,"attrs":927},{"color":917},{"text":929,"type":600,"marks":930}," – the material which contains valuable critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.",[931],{"type":603,"attrs":932},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":934,"content":935},{"textAlign":49},[936,941,950],{"text":937,"type":600,"marks":938},"The first stage of ",[939],{"type":603,"attrs":940},{"color":917},{"text":942,"type":600,"marks":943},"this process",[944,948],{"type":608,"attrs":945},{"href":946,"uuid":947,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},"/article/trafigura-signs-1-1-billion-offtake-agreement-with-nth-cycle-for-recycled-lithium-nickel","6d4e9c3d-6c06-4df8-9ad8-36642e31348a",{"type":603,"attrs":949},{"color":917},{"text":951,"type":600,"marks":952}," generally requires batteries be discharged, dismantled and fed directly into a shredding system. Then the shredded material is sieved, separated and classified to isolate key fractions such as aluminium, copper, plastics and the black mass.",[953],{"type":603,"attrs":954},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":956,"content":957},{"textAlign":49},[958,963],{"text":959,"type":600,"marks":960},"The quality and purity of the black mass strongly influence the efficiency and economics of subsequent hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical refining. ",[961],{"type":603,"attrs":962},{"color":917},{"text":964,"type":600,"marks":965},"There is a balance to be struck between recovering the highest quality black mass, which translates into high payables for the producer, and limiting expenditure during pre-treatment that would detract from high quality black mass recovery.",[966],{"type":603,"attrs":967},{"color":968},"#18181B",{"type":595,"attrs":970,"content":971},{"textAlign":49},[972],{"text":973,"type":600,"marks":974},"Battery recyclers use a variety of techniques to complete this first step, and these can be broadly categorised into dry shredding and wet shredding.",[975],{"type":603,"attrs":976},{"color":917},{"type":689,"attrs":978,"content":979},{"level":691,"textAlign":49},[980],{"text":981,"type":600,"marks":982},"What are dry and wet shredding?",[983],{"type":603,"attrs":984},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":986,"content":987},{"textAlign":49},[988],{"text":989,"type":600,"marks":990},"In dry shredding systems, batteries are mechanically reduced in an inert or controlled atmosphere to minimise fire risk. The process is comparatively simple in configuration and can be more energy efficient, as it avoids the need for liquid handling and wastewater treatment. However, strict environmental and safety controls are required to manage dust, off‑gases and the risk of thermal events. The quality of the resulting black mass can be high, but careful system design is essential to prevent cross‑contamination between material streams.",[991],{"type":603,"attrs":992},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":994,"content":995},{"textAlign":49},[996],{"text":997,"type":600,"marks":998},"Wet shredding, by contrast, involves submerging batteries in a liquid medium during size reduction. The medium is often water or a brine solution. This approach can enhance process safety by suppressing ignition risks and reducing airborne particulate emissions. It also stabilises reactive components during shredding. However, wet systems introduce additional complexity, including liquid-solid separation, wastewater treatment and drying steps before further processing. These factors can increase capital expenditure and operational costs, and may affect the physical characteristics of the recovered black mass.",[999],{"type":603,"attrs":1000},{"color":917},{"type":772,"attrs":1002},{"id":1003,"body":1004},"4fca668a-de3d-49f6-b011-025df0116b78",[1005],{"id":1006,"_uid":1007,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28645182","i-0937c69d-6632-4b5f-a678-13f4fd29fa54",{"type":689,"attrs":1009,"content":1010},{"level":691,"textAlign":49},[1011],{"text":1012,"type":600,"marks":1013},"Which method is used in each region?",[1014],{"type":603,"attrs":1015},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1017,"content":1018},{"textAlign":49},[1019],{"text":1020,"type":600,"marks":1021},"As of Q1 2026, Benchmark’s Battery Recycling Service tracks just under 400 facilities that are recorded as having shredding capability. Of these, approximately one third have publicly disclosed their operating conditions. Among the plants that have provided this information, dry shredding capacity is used four times as much as wet shredding is, with six companies operating both dry and wet lines.",[1022],{"type":603,"attrs":1023},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1025,"content":1026},{"textAlign":49},[1027],{"text":1028,"type":600,"marks":1029},"For recyclers equipped to process material under both dry and wet conditions, the choice of method is typically determined by the nature of the incoming feedstock. Production scrap, which generally requires minimal dismantling and is often cleaner and less contaminated than end‑of‑life material, is particularly well suited to dry shredding. This is especially true in cases where the material has not been wetted by electrolyte, allowing operators to process it efficiently without the added complexity of liquid handling systems.",[1030],{"type":603,"attrs":1031},{"color":968},{"type":772,"attrs":1033},{"id":1003,"body":1034},[1035],{"id":1036,"_uid":1037,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28540575","i-f285ccb7-2edc-468b-b0af-928226ba69cd",{"type":595,"attrs":1039,"content":1040},{"textAlign":49},[1041],{"text":1042,"type":600,"marks":1043},"Across much of Asia, recyclers tend to favour inert dry shredding. By operating in a controlled, oxygen‑free atmosphere, these processes maintain a high level of safety without introducing water into the system. Avoiding water simplifies plant design, eliminates the need for wastewater treatment, and typically results in a cleaner, more consistent black mass. ",[1044],{"type":603,"attrs":1045},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1047,"content":1048},{"textAlign":49},[1049],{"text":1050,"type":600,"marks":1051},"This ‘higher‑quality’ intermediate material supports efficient hydrometallurgical refining and fits well within large‑scale, vertically integrated recycling platforms. In many cases, the preference reflects a combination of process efficiency, favourable economics and tight downstream integration.",[1052],{"type":603,"attrs":1053},{"color":968},"The recycling of battery scrap typically begins with a mechanical pretreatment step to produce black mass – the material which contains valuable critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.\n\nThe first stage of this process generally requires batteries be discharged, dismantled and fed directly into a shredding system. Then the shredded material is sieved, separated and classified to isolate key fractions such as aluminium, copper, plastics and the black mass.",[1056],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1057},{"job_title":557,"image":1058,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":558},{"filename":552},[1060],{"slug":872,"name":558},"public",{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1063},{},{"id":1065,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1066,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1067,"is_external_url":50},106712663201583,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/x/92015bc417/q3-2025-black-mass-price-review-china-lifts-black-mass-import-restrictions.avif",{},"The recycling of battery scrap typically begins with a mechanical pretreatment step to produce black mass – the material which contains valuable critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.","Apr 22, 2026",{"id":1071,"uuid":1072,"name":1073,"slug":1074,"full_slug":1075,"content":1076},167894517201948,"1f78b595-3af5-4611-8ff9-18074125b2fc","China’s MIIT Measures for Comprehensive Utilisation of NEV Batteries take effect","china-s-miit-measures-for-comprehensive-utilisation-of-nev-batteries-take-effect","article/china-s-miit-measures-for-comprehensive-utilisation-of-nev-batteries-take-effect",{"_uid":1077,"date":1078,"tags":1079,"editor":1082,"content":1086,"excerpt":1251,"featured":51,"reporter":1252,"component":869,"seo_title":1256,"categories":1257,"visibility":873,"data_vis_image":1259,"featured_image":1261,"seo_description":1265,"formattedDate":1266},"90da3586-7a26-4a33-9349-141222cb6e95","2026-04-20 00:00",[1080,1081],{"slug":895,"name":896},{"slug":893,"name":373},[1083],{"slug":899,"name":900,"content":1084},{"job_title":902,"image":1085,"bio":905,"linkedin":906},{"filename":904},{"type":592,"content":1087},[1088,1124,1146,1156,1164,1172,1187,1195,1203,1211,1220,1228,1236,1244],{"type":595,"attrs":1089,"content":1090},{"textAlign":49},[1091,1096,1105,1110,1119],{"text":1092,"type":600,"marks":1093},"At the beginning of this year, ",[1094],{"type":603,"attrs":1095},{"color":917},{"text":1097,"type":600,"marks":1098},"China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)",[1099,1103],{"type":608,"attrs":1100},{"href":1101,"uuid":1102,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},"/article/chinas-miit-introduces-tougher-rules-for-evs-from-2026","9c5bd8e3-4a58-4552-b06c-515b5a0173ff",{"type":603,"attrs":1104},{"color":917},{"text":1106,"type":600,"marks":1107}," issued the final Measures for the Comprehensive Utilisation of NEV Batteries, which took effect on 1 April 2026, meaning ",[1108],{"type":603,"attrs":1109},{"color":917},{"text":1111,"type":600,"marks":1112},"the industry",[1113,1117],{"type":608,"attrs":1114},{"href":1115,"uuid":1116,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},"/article/infographic-how-much-of-the-recycling-industry-does-china-control","14754ee8-aa22-4e65-992f-76c84b6c2348",{"type":603,"attrs":1118},{"color":917},{"text":1120,"type":600,"marks":1121}," is now entering its first full compliance phase. ",[1122],{"type":603,"attrs":1123},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1125,"content":1126},{"textAlign":49},[1127,1132,1141],{"text":1128,"type":600,"marks":1129},"This update clarifies the definition of ",[1130],{"type":603,"attrs":1131},{"color":917},{"text":1133,"type":600,"marks":1134},"end-of-life (EOL) EV batteries",[1135,1139],{"type":608,"attrs":1136},{"href":1137,"uuid":1138,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},"/article/how-is-the-second-life-battery-market-playing-out","39419043-3004-4633-9568-7869e2d0cb37",{"type":603,"attrs":1140},{"color":917},{"text":1142,"type":600,"marks":1143},", battery coding requirements, recycling responsibilities across the battery lifecycle, and information reporting obligations.",[1144],{"type":603,"attrs":1145},{"color":917},{"type":689,"attrs":1147,"content":1149},{"level":1148,"textAlign":49},1,[1150],{"text":1151,"type":600,"marks":1152},"Battery manufacturers or OEMs responsible for EOL EV battery management",[1153,1155],{"type":603,"attrs":1154},{"color":917},{"type":699},{"type":595,"attrs":1157,"content":1158},{"textAlign":49},[1159],{"text":1160,"type":600,"marks":1161},"Battery manufacturers producing or importing batteries are responsible for recycling, except where batteries are supplied to OEMs, in which case the OEM is responsible for those embedded in EVs sold in China, with compliance achievable either in-house or via third-party recycling partnerships. ",[1162],{"type":603,"attrs":1163},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1165,"content":1166},{"textAlign":49},[1167],{"text":1168,"type":600,"marks":1169},"Between battery manufacturers and OEMs, the final Measures also clarify responsibilities for establishing collection points, notifying customers, and the transfer of obligations in cases of operational disruption or business closure.",[1170],{"type":603,"attrs":1171},{"color":917},{"type":689,"attrs":1173,"content":1174},{"level":1148,"textAlign":49},[1175,1181],{"type":1176,"attrs":1177},"image",{"id":1178,"alt":547,"src":1179,"title":547,"source":547,"copyright":547,"meta_data":1180},167894709534700,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/807x497/a8f48100fc/recycling-flow-chart.png",{},{"text":1182,"type":600,"marks":1183},"Battery code and information update requirements",[1184,1186],{"type":603,"attrs":1185},{"color":917},{"type":699},{"type":595,"attrs":1188,"content":1189},{"textAlign":49},[1190],{"text":1191,"type":600,"marks":1192},"As part of this legislative update, all batteries produced in or imported into China must carry a unique code, with manufacturers and OEMs required to follow specified priorities on design, deployment and information disclosure, while national authorities will establish an EV battery digital ID system covering details such as battery type, composition and recycling, although further specifics have not yet been released. ",[1193],{"type":603,"attrs":1194},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1196,"content":1197},{"textAlign":49},[1198],{"text":1199,"type":600,"marks":1200},"Battery manufacturers are expected to generate a battery code for each battery cell based on the battery code policy (GB/T 34014), and ensure labels are applied to the cell, module, and battery pack. Meanwhile, battery manufacturers need to provide battery code and dismantling technology information to OEMs or EOL EV recycling companies. For OEMs, the disclosure of technical information related to vehicle repair is required.",[1201],{"type":603,"attrs":1202},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1204,"content":1205},{"textAlign":49},[1206],{"text":1207,"type":600,"marks":1208},"The Measures also define clear responsibilities for updating battery-related information across all stakeholders throughout the battery lifecycle, from production and sales to battery swapping, repair, and EOL battery collection and recycling. Each party is required to report battery flow data within specified timeframes to ensure end-to-end traceability of batteries.",[1209],{"type":603,"attrs":1210},{"color":917},{"type":689,"attrs":1212,"content":1213},{"level":1148,"textAlign":49},[1214],{"text":1215,"type":600,"marks":1216},"Impact on the Chinese recycling market",[1217,1219],{"type":603,"attrs":1218},{"color":917},{"type":699},{"type":595,"attrs":1221,"content":1222},{"textAlign":49},[1223],{"text":1224,"type":600,"marks":1225},"Mandatory battery coding and lifecycle-wide reporting requirements for all stakeholders aim to achieve full traceability of batteries throughout their life cycle. This will help prevent batteries from entering illegal recycling channels and effectively curb the activities of unlicensed recyclers.",[1226],{"type":603,"attrs":1227},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1229,"content":1230},{"textAlign":49},[1231],{"text":1232,"type":600,"marks":1233},"Compliant recyclers are expected to gain increased access to end-of-life batteries through closer collaboration with battery manufacturers and OEMs. Stringent enforcement is likely to gradually phase out illegal players, enabling legal operators to secure greater feedstock and improve operational efficiency. ",[1234],{"type":603,"attrs":1235},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1237,"content":1238},{"textAlign":49},[1239],{"text":1240,"type":600,"marks":1241},"Recycling players with advanced technologies, better environmental performance, and scalable capacity are therefore likely to gain a competitive advantage, while smaller and less efficient operators may face intensified pressure and consolidation within the sector.",[1242],{"type":603,"attrs":1243},{"color":968},{"type":772,"attrs":1245},{"id":1246,"body":1247},"1996dc2e-a289-454a-9f03-8019f068cf0c",[1248],{"id":1249,"_uid":1250,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28606392","i-4e4d6a12-55bf-46d1-9193-26fa8f4ff841","At the beginning of this year, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the final Measures for the Comprehensive Utilisation of NEV Batteries, which took effect on 1 April 2026, meaning the industry is now entering its first full compliance phase. \n\nThis update clarifies the definition of end-of-life (EOL) EV batteries, battery coding requirements, recycling responsibilities across the battery lifecycle, and information reporting obligations.",[1253],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1254},{"job_title":557,"image":1255,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":558},{"filename":552},"New Chinese NEV battery recycling rules enter force",[1258],{"slug":872,"name":558},{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1260},{},{"id":1262,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1263,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1264,"is_external_url":50},129073589921733,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/bc6bfb8df0/bm-vw-battery-recycling.jpg",{},"At the beginning of this year, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the final Measures for the Comprehensive Utilisation of NEV Batteries, which took effect on 1 April 2026.","Apr 20, 2026",{"id":1268,"uuid":1269,"name":1270,"slug":1271,"full_slug":1272,"content":1273},166886595052314,"0d1ae7af-e809-460f-839a-18e8dd2132d1","Runaway rally before stabilisation: Black Mass Q1 2026 Price Review","runaway-rally-before-stabilisation-black-mass-q1-2026-price-review","article/runaway-rally-before-stabilisation-black-mass-q1-2026-price-review",{"_uid":1274,"date":1275,"tags":1276,"editor":1281,"content":1285,"excerpt":1376,"featured":51,"reporter":1377,"component":869,"seo_title":1381,"categories":1382,"visibility":873,"data_vis_image":1384,"featured_image":1386,"seo_description":1376,"formattedDate":1388},"939a8535-6f45-4b80-9da6-0c45e27f4408","2026-04-17 00:00",[1277,1280],{"slug":1278,"name":1279},"black-mass-prices","Black mass prices",{"slug":895,"name":896},[1282],{"slug":899,"name":900,"content":1283},{"job_title":902,"image":1284,"bio":905,"linkedin":906},{"filename":904},{"type":592,"content":1286},[1287,1302,1310,1317,1344,1352,1360,1368],{"type":595,"attrs":1288,"content":1289},{"textAlign":49},[1290,1297],{"text":1291,"type":600,"marks":1292},"Black mass",[1293,1295],{"type":608,"attrs":1294},{"href":923,"uuid":924,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},{"type":603,"attrs":1296},{"color":968},{"text":1298,"type":600,"marks":1299}," payables underwent a dynamic Q1 as trading levels for the recycled intermediate responded to bullish virgin battery metal prices, quietness through the CNY period in February, and a continued trend towards regional divergence.",[1300],{"type":603,"attrs":1301},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1303,"content":1304},{"textAlign":49},[1305],{"text":1306,"type":600,"marks":1307},"Benchmark recorded the largest price movements in the seaborne Asia market, as CIF Asia NCM black mass rose by 10 percentage points between the end of December and end of the quarter. Benchmark’s EXW China LFP black mass also underwent significant gains, increasing by 28.4% across the same period. European and North American payables underwent shifts of a similar magnitude despite responding to virgin market movements in a delayed fashion towards the end of February.",[1308],{"type":603,"attrs":1309},{"color":968},{"type":772,"attrs":1311},{"id":1312,"body":1313},"3bac62d9-2c50-42fb-8219-0eadeaa82dd7",[1314],{"id":1315,"_uid":1316,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"28575920","i-6da67715-6e23-4c85-8398-4abfb98f8795",{"type":595,"attrs":1318,"content":1319},{"textAlign":49},[1320,1325,1330,1339],{"text":1321,"type":600,"marks":1322},"Black mass payables surged towards the end of January",[1323],{"type":603,"attrs":1324},{"color":917},{"text":1326,"type":600,"marks":1327},", driven by bullishness in the battery metal markets in the domestic China market. ",[1328],{"type":603,"attrs":1329},{"color":968},{"text":1331,"type":600,"marks":1332},"Lithium’s price rally ",[1333,1337],{"type":608,"attrs":1334},{"href":1335,"uuid":1336,"anchor":49,"target":925,"linktype":613},"/article/volatile-yet-robust-lithium-q1-2026-price-review","fd98e9b3-113b-4179-b249-104c9389ba9f",{"type":603,"attrs":1338},{"color":968},{"text":1340,"type":600,"marks":1341},"being the most influential, with battery grade lithium carbonate rising by 45.6% throughout the quarter. Favourable quotation periods, bullish speculative traders and new Asian capacity coming online buoyed payables further.",[1342],{"type":603,"attrs":1343},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1345,"content":1346},{"textAlign":49},[1347],{"text":1348,"type":600,"marks":1349},"In February, domestic Chinese black mass payables softened amid easing virgin battery metal prices and falling liquidity ahead of CNY. Outside China, however, particularly in seaborne Asia and Europe, prices continued to catch up, reflecting China-led pricing and a delayed response to earlier moves in virgin markets.",[1350],{"type":603,"attrs":1351},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1353,"content":1354},{"textAlign":49},[1355],{"text":1356,"type":600,"marks":1357},"As Chinese refiners sought more feedstock for their underutilised hydrometallurgical plants, seaborne Asia responded the most vigorously, causing many players outside of China to be priced out of auctions as payables reached 140% and 91% for production scrap and EOL feedstock black mass, respectively.",[1358],{"type":603,"attrs":1359},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1361,"content":1362},{"textAlign":49},[1363],{"text":1364,"type":600,"marks":1365},"March brought a more regionalised picture. Chinese payables were broadly stable as the market resumed gradually after CNY and virgin market plateaued, with hydrometallurgical plants adopting ad hoc procurement strategies. In the ex-China markets, prices continued to rise in response to earlier virgin price movements, before correcting lower later in the month as margins came under pressure.",[1366],{"type":603,"attrs":1367},{"color":968},{"type":595,"attrs":1369,"content":1370},{"textAlign":49},[1371],{"text":1372,"type":600,"marks":1373},"By quarter-end, black mass was still trading well above the levels seen at the start of the year, but the market had shifted from a runaway rally to a more stable and regionally fragmented pricing environment.",[1374],{"type":603,"attrs":1375},{"color":968},"Black mass payables underwent a dynamic Q1 as trading levels for the recycled intermediate responded to bullish virgin battery metal prices, quietness through the CNY period in February, and a continued trend towards regional divergence.",[1378],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1379},{"job_title":557,"image":1380,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":558},{"filename":552},"Runaway rally then stabilisation: Black Mass Q1 2026 Price Review",[1383],{"slug":893,"name":373},{"id":49,"alt":49,"name":547,"focus":49,"title":49,"source":49,"filename":547,"copyright":49,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1385},{},{"id":1065,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1066,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1387,"is_external_url":50},{},"Apr 17, 2026",{"id":1390,"uuid":1391,"name":1392,"slug":1393,"full_slug":1394,"content":1395},150665293130636,"bde71a01-65ac-4b34-8f7d-0df0db0e305e","What is the state of direct recycling?","what-is-the-state-of-direct-recycling-","article/what-is-the-state-of-direct-recycling-",{"_uid":1396,"date":1397,"tags":1398,"editor":1406,"content":1410,"excerpt":1660,"featured":51,"reporter":1661,"component":869,"seo_title":1665,"categories":1666,"visibility":1061,"data_vis_image":1669,"featured_image":1673,"seo_description":1678,"formattedDate":1679},"28795ff2-2b9d-43b3-a53c-cc4cfce14301","2026-03-03 00:00",[1399,1402,1403],{"slug":1400,"name":1401},"direct-recycling","Direct recycling",{"slug":895,"name":896},{"slug":1404,"name":1405},"data-visualisation","Data Visualisation",[1407],{"slug":583,"name":584,"content":1408},{"job_title":586,"image":1409,"bio":589,"linkedin":590},{"filename":588},{"type":592,"content":1411},[1412,1431,1439,1482,1506,1514,1522,1530,1538,1559,1566,1574,1582,1590,1598,1606,1614,1622,1630,1638,1644,1652],{"type":595,"attrs":1413,"content":1414},{"textAlign":49},[1415,1420,1426],{"text":1416,"type":600,"marks":1417},"Direct ",[1418],{"type":603,"attrs":1419},{"color":917},{"text":872,"type":600,"marks":1421},[1422,1424],{"type":608,"attrs":1423},{"href":657,"uuid":658,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},{"type":603,"attrs":1425},{"color":917},{"text":1427,"type":600,"marks":1428}," is a process in which the cathode and anode active materials within scrap batteries are regenerated without breaking them down into individual battery chemicals as is required by more traditional battery recycling methods.",[1429],{"type":603,"attrs":1430},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1432,"content":1433},{"textAlign":49},[1434],{"text":1435,"type":600,"marks":1436},"Whilst direct recycling can have a higher recovery rate than other methods such as hydrometallurgy, its commercial adoption is hindered by its technological immaturity and the need for well-sorted waste streams.",[1437],{"type":603,"attrs":1438},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1440,"content":1441},{"textAlign":49},[1442,1449,1454,1463,1468,1477],{"text":1443,"type":600,"marks":1444},"China is leading the way",[1445,1447],{"type":608,"attrs":1446},{"href":1115,"uuid":1116,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},{"type":603,"attrs":1448},{"color":917},{"text":1450,"type":600,"marks":1451}," in the technology, with commercial direct recycling of high-grade production scrap growing in the country. However its application to end of life material and in regions outside of China is limited. In 2025, just 3% of global recycling capacity was for direct recycling with all such projects located in ",[1452],{"type":603,"attrs":1453},{"color":917},{"text":1455,"type":600,"marks":1456},"China",[1457,1461],{"type":608,"attrs":1458},{"href":1459,"uuid":1460,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/article/q3-2025-black-mass-price-review-china-lifts-black-mass-import-restrictions","a3e6f249-8bfa-4d31-80ee-6efd93c869a4",{"type":603,"attrs":1462},{"color":917},{"text":1464,"type":600,"marks":1465}," according to ",[1466],{"type":603,"attrs":1467},{"color":917},{"text":1469,"type":600,"marks":1470},"Benchmark’s Recycling Service",[1471,1475],{"type":608,"attrs":1472},{"href":1473,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":1474},"https://www.benchmarkminerals.com/recycling","url",{"type":603,"attrs":1476},{"color":917},{"text":1478,"type":600,"marks":1479},".",[1480],{"type":603,"attrs":1481},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1483,"content":1484},{"textAlign":49},[1485,1492,1501],{"text":1486,"type":600,"marks":1487},"Download ",[1488,1490],{"type":603,"attrs":1489},{"color":917},{"type":1491},"italic",{"text":1493,"type":600,"marks":1494},"Benchmark's Battery Recycling Map",[1495,1498,1500],{"type":608,"attrs":1496},{"href":1497,"uuid":49,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":1474},"/publications/special-issues/battery-recycling-map",{"type":603,"attrs":1499},{"color":917},{"type":1491},{"text":1478,"type":600,"marks":1502},[1503,1505],{"type":603,"attrs":1504},{"color":917},{"type":1491},{"type":689,"attrs":1507,"content":1508},{"level":691,"textAlign":49},[1509],{"text":1510,"type":600,"marks":1511},"How does direct recycling work?",[1512],{"type":603,"attrs":1513},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1515,"content":1516},{"textAlign":49},[1517],{"text":1518,"type":600,"marks":1519},"The first step of the direct battery recycling process is the discharging and dismantling of the battery pack. In some instances mechanical shredding is used.",[1520],{"type":603,"attrs":1521},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1523,"content":1524},{"textAlign":49},[1525],{"text":1526,"type":600,"marks":1527},"The material regeneration steps are the primary source of variation between companies. Where shredding is not involved, electrode sheets can be separated and the anode and cathode material can be extracted from the current collector foils using sonication or solvents such as dimethyl carbonate, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and, in some cases, water.",[1528],{"type":603,"attrs":1529},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1531,"content":1532},{"textAlign":49},[1533],{"text":1534,"type":600,"marks":1535},"The recovered electrode material can then be regenerated into its battery grade form. In cases where lithium has been lost from the cathode during cell cycling, relithiation is necessary to recover battery grade materials. To regenerate electrode materials, direct processes include using plasma-assisted separation or hydrothermal treatment followed by annealing. There are several market participants with plans to employ these technologies commercially, however direct recycling operations are limited currently. Scaling of direct recycling processes are reliant on improvement and modification of these methods in upcoming years.",[1536],{"type":603,"attrs":1537},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1539,"content":1540},{"textAlign":49},[1541,1546,1554],{"text":1542,"type":600,"marks":1543},"This method is in contrast to hydrometallurgical recycling which requires battery scrap first be shredded and separated into ",[1544],{"type":603,"attrs":1545},{"color":917},{"text":919,"type":600,"marks":1547},[1548,1552],{"type":608,"attrs":1549},{"href":1550,"uuid":1551,"anchor":49,"target":612,"linktype":613},"/article/what-is-black-mass-and-how-is-it-priced","7e1c5466-a467-471e-adca-9f45d75f0441",{"type":603,"attrs":1553},{"color":917},{"text":1555,"type":600,"marks":1556},". This is then refined using strong acids and other chemicals to obtain battery chemicals such as lithium carbonate and nickel sulphate.",[1557],{"type":603,"attrs":1558},{"color":917},{"type":772,"attrs":1560},{"id":1561,"body":1562},"d0a91cc6-7539-4a8a-a22a-f606bb3c4f85",[1563],{"id":1564,"_uid":1565,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"27809484","i-899a90e0-b0f4-4daa-ab96-678cef6c1738",{"type":595,"attrs":1567,"content":1568},{"textAlign":49},[1569],{"text":1570,"type":600,"marks":1571},"Hydrometallurgy is more mature battery recycling technology than direct recycling, but suffers significant efficacy losses in practice. By contrast, direct recycling theoretically has the highest recovery rates of all battery recycling methods as the active materials are not broken down into their constituent chemicals where most losses are. The active materials’ structures and stoichiometries are also maintained.",[1572],{"type":603,"attrs":1573},{"color":917},{"type":689,"attrs":1575,"content":1576},{"level":691,"textAlign":49},[1577],{"text":1578,"type":600,"marks":1579},"What are the challenges with direct recycling?",[1580],{"type":603,"attrs":1581},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1583,"content":1584},{"textAlign":49},[1585],{"text":1586,"type":600,"marks":1587},"Direct recycling processes are not yet being scaled to meet the demand that will be placed on the recycling market in coming years.",[1588],{"type":603,"attrs":1589},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1591,"content":1592},{"textAlign":49},[1593],{"text":1594,"type":600,"marks":1595},"The processes are chemistry-specific and sensitive to the module format (i.e., cylindrical, prismatic or pouch), meaning the feedstock must be carefully controlled. Many regions do not have fully matured recycling collection schemes meaning scrap is often highly heterogeneous, containing an unpredictable mixture of chemistries and formats.",[1596],{"type":603,"attrs":1597},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1599,"content":1600},{"textAlign":49},[1601],{"text":1602,"type":600,"marks":1603},"This is often why recycling companies opt to use direct recycling alongside cell production lines, or using supply and offtake agreements with specific customers to ensure the cathode chemistry is uniform.",[1604],{"type":603,"attrs":1605},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1607,"content":1608},{"textAlign":49},[1609],{"text":1610,"type":600,"marks":1611},"For end of life (EOL) material, one technologically challenging step within direct recycling is relithiation. Lithium losses in the cathode are inevitable during cell cycling, and relithiating the spent material ensures that the cathode returns to its original composition and structure for reuse in new lithium ion batteries.",[1612],{"type":603,"attrs":1613},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1615,"content":1616},{"textAlign":49},[1617],{"text":1618,"type":600,"marks":1619},"Even if the technical barriers associated with direct recycling of EOL scrap are overcome, another challenge is that once a battery becomes EOL scrap, its chemistry may be outdated. This means that regeneration of the same material then requires further treatment to generate up-to-date materials.",[1620],{"type":603,"attrs":1621},{"color":917},{"type":689,"attrs":1623,"content":1624},{"level":691,"textAlign":49},[1625],{"text":1626,"type":600,"marks":1627},"Who is exploring direct recycling?",[1628],{"type":603,"attrs":1629},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1631,"content":1632},{"textAlign":49},[1633],{"text":1634,"type":600,"marks":1635},"Globally, direct recycling capacity is set to triple between 2025 and 2030 with several projects planned or under construction.",[1636],{"type":603,"attrs":1637},{"color":917},{"type":772,"attrs":1639},{"id":1561,"body":1640},[1641],{"id":1642,"_uid":1643,"type":779,"component":780,"fixed_height":547,"use_fixed_height":50,"fixed_height_mobile":547,"fixed_height_tablet":547},"27788937","i-7d10ddf7-f0b2-4217-ae7b-7003d8cf5ee0",{"type":595,"attrs":1645,"content":1646},{"textAlign":49},[1647],{"text":1648,"type":600,"marks":1649},"Outside of China direct recycling is in its preliminary stages of commercialisation, and the recycling routes that developers take vary drastically. Most direct methods are tailored to specific cathode chemistries rather than to all lithium ion batteries.",[1650],{"type":603,"attrs":1651},{"color":917},{"type":595,"attrs":1653,"content":1654},{"textAlign":49},[1655],{"text":1656,"type":600,"marks":1657},"Direct recycling has been of particular interest for companies looking to recycle cheaper cathode chemistries, such as LFP, as this process ensures that margin lowering waste products are avoided. Companies that have reported the development and/or adoption of direct recycling processes include Huayou Cobalt, Rikomay, BMW/Encory, Li-Circle, Li Industries, Princeton NuEnergy, KYBURZ, and Exigo, to name a few.",[1658],{"type":603,"attrs":1659},{"color":917},"Direct recycling is a process in which the cathode and anode active materials within scrap batteries are regenerated without breaking them down into individual battery chemicals as is required by more traditional battery recycling methods.\n\nWhilst direct recycling can have a higher recovery rate than other methods such as hydrometallurgy, its commercial adoption is hindered by its technological immaturity and the need for well-sorted waste streams.\n\nChina is leading the way in the technology, with commercial direct recycling of high-grade production scrap growing in the country. However its application to end of life material and in regions outside of China is limited. In 2025, just 3% of global recycling capacity was for direct recycling with all such projects located in China according to Benchmark’s Recycling Service.",[1662],{"slug":544,"name":543,"content":1663},{"job_title":557,"image":1664,"bio":548,"linkedin":555,"markets_covered":558},{"filename":552},"What is direct recycling?",[1667,1668],{"slug":893,"name":373},{"slug":872,"name":558},{"id":1670,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":547,"source":547,"filename":1671,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1672,"is_external_url":50},150925577564289,"https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/1588x1242/6351d21037/direct-vs-hydromet-2x.png",{},{"id":1674,"alt":547,"name":547,"focus":547,"title":1675,"source":547,"filename":1676,"copyright":547,"fieldtype":553,"meta_data":1677,"is_external_url":50},150666084443960,"Engineers oversee advanced battery recycling operations at PNE’s Chester, SC facility. (PRNewsfoto/Princeton NuEnergy)","https://a.storyblok.com/f/287943243085208/2700x1800/9f6dbeb31a/princeton_nuenergy.jpg",{"alt":547,"title":1675,"source":547,"copyright":547},"Direct recycling is a battery recycling process in which the cathode and anode active materials within scrap batteries are regenerated without breaking them down into battery chemicals as is required by more traditional battery recycling methods.","Mar 03, 2026",1780670129071]