In the early years, lithium was known as a low-volume auxiliary material in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Over the years, lithium has gained prominence in the form of lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable battery, which are also known as “LIBs”) used in a variety of applications, including:

• Consumer electronics devices, such as calculators, cameras, cell phones, handheld gaming devices, hearing aids, laptops, and tablets

• Electric buses

• Electric cars

• Electric motorcycles

• Electric tools

• Energy storage systems

The accelerating transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is one of the biggest drivers of battery demand, with automotive batteries estimated to become “the largest share of batteries for recycling.”

Worldwide, the number of scrapped lithium ion batteries is expected to increase with the boost in the production and ownership of EVs.

According to Blackridge Research & Consulting’s Global Lithium-Ion Battery Market Report, “11 million tons of spent lithium-ion batteries are estimated to become battery scrap by 2030 due to the transition to EVs.”

A lithium ion battery can undergo multiple recycling cycles to produce raw materials with the same purity as that of materials that come from mining.

As a clean technology, battery recycling ensures sustainable recycling of battery waste while meeting the demand for key battery materials and supporting the electrification of mobility.

Recycling batteries assumes greater significance because dumping expired batteries results in contamination of the environment with toxic compounds. It can also cause batteries to degrade, self-ignite, or start fires in landfills.

Lithium-ion battery recyclers are investing in advanced technologies to recover critical components from all types of lithium-ion batteries and return valuable battery materials to create a closed-loop battery supply chain for a sustainable future.

Biometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and pyrometallurgical are the most common processes used to recycle spent lithium-ion batteries.

Furthermore, solvent extraction in hydrometallurgy is a common chemical extraction process that uses an organic solvent as the extractant for the separation and recovery of metals from complex matrices.

Continue reading to learn more about the top players in the lithium ion battery recycling industry.

Global Top 10 Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Companies [2025]

Glencore plc 

Glencore plc is one of the largest lithium-ion battery recycling companies in the world in terms of revenue generated in 2023 (USD 217.83 billion). The company has over 75 years of experience in recycling batteries and is responsible for sourcing and processing recyclable materials. The critical metals the company recycles other than Li-ion batteries are lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper.

Glencore’s approach to recycling integrates sustainability, technological expertise, and customer excellence. The recycling company ensures a closed-loop system that minimizes environmental impact. The Swiss company supports a global transition toward circular resource utilization by diverting waste from landfills and recovering valuable metals.

Key Recycling Initiatives

• Sourcing: Glencore procures recyclable materials from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), end-of-life sources, and processors.

• Processing and Refining: Materials are processed at state-of-the-art facilities located in North America, South America, and Europe.

• Market Integration: Recovered metals are marketed directly to industrial customers through Glencore’s global network, spanning over 35 countries.

Global Facilities and Capabilities

• San Jose Sampling Plant (California): One of the largest processors of precious metal-bearing electronic scrap on the U.S. West Coast.

• Altonorte Smelter (Chile): A renowned recycler of high-grade copper scrap.

• Nikkelverk Refinery (Norway): A major nickel refinery with ISO certifications, processing primary and secondary materials to produce approximately 92,000 tonnes of nickel annually.

• Portovesme Facility (Italy): A leader in processing electric arc furnace (EAF) steel dust to recover zinc and lead, avoiding landfill waste.

On March 14, 2025, Glencore plc acquired Li-Cycle Holdings Corp to strengthen its position in the lithium-ion battery recycling sector, aligning with its strategic focus on energy transition materials.

LG Energy Solution Ltd. 

LG Energy Solution Ltd. (LGES) is one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers and a subsidiary of LG Chem Ltd., which is stated to be “South Korea’s largest chemical company.”

LG Chem strives to ensure a stable supply of raw materials for LGES through various investments and partnerships with foreign companies.

LGES is developing various business models and technologies to maximize the economic, environmental, and social values of battery recycling and build a circular battery ecosystem.

For example, LGES is building a closed-loop system to collect and recycle non-reusable batteries and scraps generated during production and reinject the extracted materials into the production stage.

LGES collects end-of-life batteries at each global manufacturing site in strategic cooperation with leading recycling companies.

According to a press release, Ultium Cells LLC (a JV between LGES and General Motors) teamed up with Li-Cycle (an industry leader in lithium-ion battery recycling) to recycle crucial battery components, such as aluminum, cobalt, lithium, and nickel, from disposed EV battery cells.

Another industry news source stated that LGES signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. to build a battery recycling plant to extract cobalt, lithium, and nickel—key lithium-ion battery components—from scrap batteries and used batteries.

In addition to establishing the closed loop at the Nanjing Plant in China, LGES plans to make it available in all global sites, including Europe, Korea, and the U.S., by 2025.

LGES’ battery reuse process includes the following stages:

• Collection of end-of-life batteries: A regional collection system collects end-of-life batteries unsuitable for automotive use. Later, these batteries are assessed to determine second-life applications. Moreover, this stage involves separate transportation and storage of reusable batteries.

• Reconditioning and refurbishing: While reconditioning involves classifying reusable batteries based on their conditions and second-life applications, refurbishing customizes reusable batteries to meet the safety standards and technical requirements of different applications.

• Redistributing for sale and marketing: Ready-for-reuse batteries are distributed to markets for optimal use, and a recycling collection system is also designed at this stage.

In July 2025, LG Energy Solution and French metals recycler Derichebourg announced a joint venture to develop a battery recycling facility in Bruyères-sur-Oise, northern France. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with operations starting in 2027, and the facility will process over 20,000 tons of end-of-life EV batteries and production scrap annually.

Stena Recycling

Stena Recycling is the biggest lithium-ion battery recycler in Europe. The company offers services like sorting and collecting used batteries to safely transport them to certified facilities. The recycling company also ensures compliance with environmental legislation while advancing the circular economy. Batteries are tested for reusability, and non-reusable units are recycled into high-quality raw materials.

Stena Recycling is pushing Europe’s efforts in safe and sustainable battery management with industrial-scale recycling centers in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Poland. The company is also planning new facilities in Italy and Norway.

Their Swedish facility was inaugurated in 2023 with a SEK 250 million investment, and it is among Europe’s first industrial-scale battery recycling centers. The facility is capable of recycling up to 95% of a lithium-ion battery and handles batteries from electric vehicles (EVs), smart devices, power tools, and domestic appliances.

 Stena Recycling is also establishing seven new battery centers across Europe to manage collection, discharge, and dismantling (phase 1). The leading recycling company in Europe is also collaborating with phase 3 recyclers to produce high-quality recycled materials. 

The company’s pilot project in Norway further reinforces its commitment to EV battery reuse and recycling. With the EU mandating recycled materials in battery production by 2030, Stena Recycling is driving innovation and sustainability in the battery industry.

Ecobat 

Known as “the world’s largest recycler of batteries,” Ecobat is a global leader in lithium battery collection and recycling management services. The company harnesses lead, lithium, and other materials to make battery recycling safer and sustainable for a circular energy economy.

The “Ecobat” brand encompasses four divisions—Ecobat Resources, Ecobat Logistics, Ecobat Battery, and Ecobat Solutions. The acquisition of Promesa in 2021 added crushing and sorting capabilities to Ecobat’s lithium battery recycling services.

Apart from 65,000 battery collection points, Ecobat has 14 smelting facilities, three lithium-focused facilities, and a collection truck fleet to ensure a seamless service for battery collection and recycling.

The industry-leading battery recycler has invested in state-of-the-art high- and low-voltage equipment to conduct EV battery, module, and cell testing and diagnostics to the most demanding quality standards with accommodation for additional OEM-specific test requirements.

Furthermore, Ecobat’s international network of facilities includes an Advanced Diagnostics and Engineering Center in the UK that can test, diagnose, re-engineer, and repurpose EV batteries and modules.

According to Ecobat, it is “the only European provider of fully integrated Stage 1-3 lithium battery recycling services and management services for Stage 4.”

Stage 1 (Collection)

Ecobat uses fully approved and specialized containers for end-of-life, damaged and defective, or critical Li-ion battery transport or battery storage. While qualified Ecobat personnel inspect batteries prior to removal, collection, and transportation, engage ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier) compliant vehicles.

Stage 2 (Discharge & Dismantling)

The next stage, following the collection and safe transportation of lithium-ion EV batteries, involves receiving the batteries at the Diagnostic and Disassembly Center and storing them in an evaluation and pre-qualification area. Here, batteries are assigned a unique ID after performing initial assessments.

Ecobat has also established a safe pre-evaluation and disassembly process for every type of battery. This stage includes initial manual disassembly and repeat manual disassembly processes.

After a thorough assessment, the battery is tested inside the processing facility and returned to the external containment area for retesting and certification.

Stage 3 (Crushing & Sorting)

Ecobat Solutions’ energy-efficient and economical lithium battery treatment allows the crushing and proper sorting of parts and chemistries for battery recycling (regardless of design and chemistry).

Stage 4 (Hydromet)

When Stage 3 is complete, Ecobat Solutions facilitates urban mining with trusted partners to handle the black mass that is generated and extract active materials like cobalt, lead, manganese, and nickel to be reused in building new lithium batteries.

Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. 

Founded by Li Liangbin, Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. (also known as “Ganfeng”) is known as “China’s largest lithium compounds producer” and “the world’s largest lithium metals producer in terms of production capacity.”

Ganfeng Lithium is the first publicly listed lithium company in China with expertise in the following:

• Compound deep processing (compounds include lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, and lithium hydroxide)

• Lithium battery manufacturing and recycling

• Metallic lithium smelting

• Resource mining (including lithium extraction from salt lakes)

Starting with the first lithium metal production base in 2003, Ganfeng Lithium grew over the years—from developing Chinese production bases to holding high-quality mineral resources in China, Argentina, Australia, and Mexico.

The company also established Ningdu Jiangxi Ganfeng Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. to promote waste battery recycling (2016) and the first solid-state lithium battery R&D pilot production line (2017).

According to Ganfeng Lithium, it is “the only company in the lithium industry with commercial scale technologies to extract lithium from brine, ore, and recycled materials.”

Ganfeng Lithium specializes in recycling instead of discarding resources, such as:

• Anode material

• Cathode material

• Consumer electronics battery

• Energy storage battery

• Lithium solution

• Power Battery

While Ganfeng Lithium’s lithium battery recycling concept is focused on “using limited resources to create unlimited value,” the technology is divided into the following:

• Waste lithium iron phosphate battery recycling technology

• Waste ternary battery recycling technology

Battery-grade lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and ternary precursor materials are the main products of lithium battery recycling, which uses highly automated production equipment with excellent durability and reliability.

Umicore N.V. 

Formerly known as “Union Minière,” Umicore N.V. (Umicore) is a globally leading circular materials technology company formed as a result of the merger of four mining and smelting companies. It is one of the largest lithium battery recycling companies in the world.

Throughout the late 1990s, Union Minière increasingly positioned itself as a specialty materials company—focusing on advanced materials, high-margin zinc products, and precious metals.

Umicore focuses on three core sectors: Catalysis, Energy and Surface Technologies, and Recycling. Furthermore, Umicore aims to develop, produce, and recycle battery materials for sustainable value creation.

Umicore has been successfully running one of the most advanced battery recycling solutions at an industrial scale and strengthening its leadership position in clean mobility materials and recycling.

Umicore’s recycling operations involve treating complex waste streams containing precious and other non-ferrous metals and recovering metals from a variety of input materials, including end-of-life products and industrial residues.

End-of-life recycling also considerably helps in limiting the risk of shortages of precious battery materials.

Umicore is a pioneer in Li-ion battery recycling, with its overall closed-loop philosophy focused on providing solutions to the growing demand for sustainably sourced materials.

According to an industry news source, Umicore initially uses a pyrometallurgical process involving the smelting of battery materials above 1200°C, followed by a hydrometallurgical process to separate and recover battery metals separately.

With a high recovery rate (up to 95%) of cobalt, lithium, and nickel from a variety of battery compositions, Umicore’s processes produce vital battery ingredients, which can be remanufactured into cathode materials.

In 2022, Umicore launched “Battery Recycling Solutions,”—a new business unit based on proprietary metal extraction technologies developed by the company’s research and engineering teams. The 150,000-tonne battery recycling plant, reported to be “the biggest battery recycling plant in Europe,” is expected to be ready by 2026.

Through Umicore 2030 - RISE, Umicore aspires to be a true transformation partner for its customers by guiding them on their journey toward circularity and sustainability.

Fortum Battery Recycling 

Fortum Battery Recycling is one of the biggest lithium battery recyclers for electric vehicles and industrial use. The company provides sustainable, low-carbon recycling solutions. On 27 April 2023, the company opened Europe’s largest closed-loop hydrometallurgical battery recycling facility in Finland. 

This innovative facility enables the recovery of up to 95% of valuable metals, such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel, from the battery's black mass. These strong metals are used for the production of new batteries.

Fortum uses a combination of mechanical and hydrometallurgical processes to ensure over 80% of a battery’s materials are recycled sustainably. Its low-CO2 recycling methods support environmental goals while ensuring compliance with strict safety and hazardous waste regulations.

In a major partnership announced on 29 February 2024, Fortum and Hydrovolt agreed to process black mass from recycled EV batteries in a cross-Nordic initiative. Hydrovolt’s industrial plant in Fredrikstad, Norway, handles the initial mechanical recycling, while Fortum’s facility in Finland completes the hydrometallurgical process.

Additionally, in June 2024, Fortum signed a memorandum of understanding with Marubeni Corporation to develop a sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling chain focusing on graphite recovery.

Fortum also provides a range of services, including safe handling, transport, and storage of used or damaged batteries. With a well-maintained European logistics network, it supports cross-border transportation and complex recall campaigns for EV batteries.

In July 2025, Easpring Finland New Materials Oy received a EUR 115 million grant from Business Finland to construct a cathode active material (CAM) factory in Kotka. Once operational, the facility will support battery production for approximately 750,000 electric vehicles annually, reinforcing Europe’s battery supply chain and reducing reliance on Chinese CAM production.

Redwood Materials, Inc. 

Founded by JB Straubel (a Tesla co-founder and former CTO (Chief Technology Officer), Redwood Materials, Inc. (Redwood) is a prominent battery recycling and sustainable materials company.

Redwood focuses on the utilization of sustainable materials through the following processes to create a closed-loop, domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries:

• Collection

• Refurbishment

• Recycling

• Refining

• Remanufacturing

By building a circular supply chain, Redwood is closing the loop for end-of-life batteries while reducing the cost, environmental impact, supply chain risks, and global reliance on mining.

Redwood states that its technology can help recover, on average, more than 95% of key battery elements, such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, graphite, and lithium, in a lithium-ion battery. Once recovered, these materials go directly back into the supply chain to make batteries for energy storage products and EVs.

With a set production target of 500 GWh by 2030, the company aims to produce enough anode and cathode for five million EVs annually.

According to Redwood, it launched “the world’s first and most comprehensive electric vehicle battery recycling program” in California.

As part of this program, Redwood worked with partners, including Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Volkswagen Group of America, and Volvo Cars, and dismantlers to collect and recycle lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) vehicle batteries.

Redwood maintains collection locations across the U.S. for battery recycling.

Redwood also enables devices with batteries inside (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) and loose lithium-ion batteries to be dropped off or shipped (following DOT (Department of Transportation) guidelines) through its consumer program.

In addition, Redwood has been instrumental in building partnerships and launching nationwide initiatives with non-profits, retail locations, and universities to educate communities about the importance of battery recycling.

American Battery Technology Company 

Formerly known as “American Battery Metals Corporation,” American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) is a prominent lithium resource exploration and development company.

The company is engaged in the supply of low-cost, low-environmental impact, and domestically sourced battery metals to support a sustainable closed-loop battery metal economy.

ABTC offers the following solutions:

• Lithium-ion Battery Recycling

• Primary Metals Manufacturing

• Primary Resource Development

ABTC has pioneered a battery recycling process to separate and recover critical materials from end-of-life batteries and then purify these battery metals to the same- or higher-quality specifications compared to conventional virgin-sourced materials.

ABTC’s integrated battery recycling system is based on a “de-manufacturing” approach to extracting metals and recovering materials from spent batteries.

The recycling process uses a combination of an automated deconstruction process and a targeted hydrometallurgical, non-smelting process that deconstructs battery packs to modules, modules to cells, and cells to sub-cell components, followed by a strategic sorting and separating of sub-cell components.

By recovering and recycling battery materials, ABTC is helping reduce the need to mine for virgin resources while addressing domestic battery metals supply shortages.

Compared to current conventional methods, ABTC’s highly efficient and streamlined process provides greater net benefits, such as:

• Conservation of natural resources

• Decreased air pollution

• Higher material recovery rates

• Increased operational efficiencies

• Low capital costs

• Minimal waste generation

ABTC’s Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Pilot Plant in Fernley, Nevada, consists of new building spaces, including an office building with laboratories, a production building, and a finished goods warehouse.

ABTC also plans to build a universal waste storage facility in Fernley and a hazardous waste storage facility in McCarran, Nevada.

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. 

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (Li-Cycle) is a globally renowned lithium-ion battery recycling company co-founded by Ajay Kochhar and Tim Johnston—engineers with deep experience in minerals and mining.

Li-Cycle specializes in safe, sustainable, and economically viable battery recycling with the least environmental impact. The company also allows for the secure destruction of materials with IP-sensitive design information, such as R&D batteries. 

In the words of Tim Johnston, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Li-Cycle, “Li-Cycle’s “future-proofed technology can recycle any battery chemistry economically.”

Certain processes used in EV battery recycling can release toxic gases, which can render recycling dangerous and less profitable. In contrast, Li-Cycle’s process does not require high temperatures and generates only low-level emissions from operations.

Li-Cycle uses patented “Spoke & Hub” technologies to mechanically process the worn-out batteries at “spokes” (decentralized facilities near the source of supply) before sending them to the “hubs” for further processing.

Consequently, 95% of the valuable battery materials are recovered, and unneeded materials (like battery casings and plastic separators) are transported to other recyclers.

As a full-service LIB recycling company, Li-Cycle provides end-to-end services, including:

Closed-loop Resource Recovery

Li-Cycle’s Commercial Spokes ensure the safe processing of Li-ion batteries of all chemistries and formats without the risk of explosion or fire.

The mechanical process breaks down the batteries into inert materials and separates the resulting materials into two main product categories—battery materials (black mass) and mixed copper/aluminum.

Later, the black mass is run through the hydrometallurgical circuit at Li-Cycle’s Hub to produce individual metal sulfate and carbonate products with the required purity levels for cathode and precursor production.

Consequently, Li-Cycle effectively closes the loop between the end-of-life and manufacturing phases by re-inserting the Hub products back into the LIB supply chain.

Logistics Management

Li-Cycle works closely with a reliable network of logistics partners to transport batteries from around the world to its facilities while adhering to regional- and international-level regulatory standards.

Li-Cycle’s knowledgeable team also helps customers understand documentation and packaging requirements.

Li-Cycle’s logistics management services include:

Reverse logistics and cross-border transport: Li-Cycle’s operations team facilitates battery shipments from customers to its facilities efficiently, including seamless transport across North America.

Damaged battery handling: Li-Cycle’s team has the expertise and experience needed to manage the storage and logistics of specialized containers required for large-format, high-voltage batteries.

Add-on Services

Li-Cycle provides tailored solutions, including the following, for unique business needs:

Packaging and regulatory support: Li-Cycle’s operations team procures appropriate packaging and facilitates safe transportation of batteries while supporting customers with any questions on packaging requirements.

Forward logistics and spare battery storage: Li-Cycle offers forward logistics and climate-controlled storage solutions for high-voltage batteries used in various applications like EVs and energy storage.

Comprehensive battery replacement campaigns: Li-Cycle offers overall project management to roll out a replacement campaign across a network of customer outlets—from packaging and logistics to recycling.

Customized customer programs: Li-Cycle supports customers by jointly developing solutions to solve end-of-life battery problems.

Blackridge Research & Consulting – Global Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Report

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The report consists of detailed profiles of major countries under the following regions:

• North America – U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the rest of North America

• Europe – Germany, France, the UK, and the rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific – China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the rest of APAC

• Rest of the World – The Middle East, South America, South Africa, and other African countries

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Wrapping Up

Battery recycling is pivotal to a circular economy—closed-loop battery recycling ensures a continuous supply of necessary raw materials to cater to the high demand for battery metals.

Traditionally, the complex nature of lithium batteries made it challenging to recycle and recover the battery materials due to variations in pack designs and cathode composition.

A study commissioned by Ascend Elements—a U.S.-based engineered battery materials company—mentions a consumer misconception that “lithium-ion EV batteries cannot be recycled and are destined for landfills.”

However, recent battery designs are making it easier to disassemble and recycle lithium-ion batteries. Recycled lithium-ion batteries are key to sustainability and a circular economy.

Electric car battery recycling companies are essential for recovering valuable materials and promoting sustainable battery reuse. A used electric vehicle battery or a spent battery can have a second life when it is repurposed for other applications, such as home energy storage. Later, when the battery reaches the end of its second life, it goes to a battery recycler.

Battery pick-up services usually accept old lithium-ion batteries from individuals and deliver them to battery recycling companies to streamline battery collection.

Typically, an end-of-life battery reaches a battery recycling facility where it is discharged for safety and dismantled before putting through an industrial shredder. Subsequently, mechanical treatment (involving crushing, vacuum drying, sieving, and milling) and material extraction are used for further processing.

Mechanically sorting a battery generates “black mass,” which contains cobalt, lithium, manganese, and nickel, among other components, depending on the battery's construction.

The exponential growth of the EV market is a significant driver of battery recycling happening on an industrial scale. Economic incentives, limitations/restrictions on new mining, and regulatory push to obtain valuable battery materials are some of the other major drivers of battery recycling.

As the recycling rate for lithium is expected to go from 35% to 75% between 2026 and 2030, it will also create a significant obligation for battery manufacturers.

Lithium-ion battery recycling companies help recover crucial battery materials through cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly processes and enable battery recycling for a sustainable future.