Battery Recycling Market Size Projected to Generate a Revenue of $47.2 Billion by 2031

Download Sample   Reports Overview

The Global Battery Recycling Market is predicted to be valued at $47.2 billion by 2031, surging from $12.5 billion in 2021, at a noteworthy CAGR of 14.5%.

Impact Analysis of COVID-19 on the Battery Recycling Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate impact on the battery recycling market. It caused severe disruptions that affected the demand, supply, import-export, and availability of batteries across end-use industries. Disruptions in the supply chain, and countries implementing lockdowns and travel restrictions further affected the transportation of materials and products, leading to delays in the recycling process. Additionally, the pandemic also caused a decrease in the demand for batteries, particularly for electric vehicles, which affected the battery recycling market. Many automakers had to halt their production, which further resulted in a decrease in the demand for batteries. The automotive industry was worst hit during the pandemic as the sales of automotive vehicles drastically reduced. It also disrupted global supply chains and manufacturing, which affected the availability of raw materials needed for battery production and recycling. However, the pandemic led to an increase in demand for consumer electronics such as TVs, phones, and laptops due to the work from home implementations, which further increased the supply of batteries for recycling. This, in turn, increased the demand for battery recycling for batteries retrieved from consumer electronics products.

Global Battery Recycling Market Analysis

The rising environmental concerns and the increasing focus on sustainability are major drivers of the battery recycling market. As the awareness of the environmental impact of traditional manufacturing processes and waste disposal increases, the demand for sustainable solutions also increases. Recycling batteries is an important part of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as it reduces the need for new raw materials, conserves resources, and reduces waste. Battery recycling also helps to prevent the release of harmful chemicals and metals into the environment, which can have serious consequences for human health and the ecosystem. As a result, governments, businesses, and consumers are increasingly turning toward battery recycling as a way to reduce their carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future. These are the major factors anticipated to boost the battery recycling market share during the analysis timeframe.

However, the lack of proper regulatory frameworks and policies for battery recycling can indeed restrain the growth of the market. It is important to have regulations in place that mandate the proper disposal and recycling of batteries to ensure that they are not disposed of in landfills, which can have harmful environmental consequences. Without clear regulations and policies, companies and consumers may not prioritize battery recycling, which can lead to lower demand for battery recycling services and ultimately hinder the growth of the market. Additionally, the lack of regulations can result in inconsistent recycling practices and standards, making it difficult for companies to compete and operate efficiently in the market.

The increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, presents a significant opportunity for the battery recycling market. As renewable energy sources are intermittent, energy storage is essential to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply. Batteries are also used to store excess energy generated during peak production hours and discharge them during periods of low production. The battery recycling market has significant growth potential, as the demand for batteries is expected to increase with the growing adoption of renewable energy sources. The recycling of batteries can help in addressing the environmental concerns associated with battery production and disposal, while also providing a sustainable supply of critical battery materials, which drives the significant opportunity in the market in the upcoming year.

Global Battery Recycling Market, Segmentation

The global battery recycling market is segmented based on battery type, source, technology, and region.

Battery Type:

The battery source segment is further classified into Li-ion battery, lead acid battery (LAB), nickel-based battery, Zn-MnO? based battery, and others. Among these, the Li-ion battery sub-segment is expected to show the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Li-ion batteries consist of critical materials such as lithium and cobalt. Lithium, in particular, is a scarce mineral and can be mined in only a few nations. Thus, the supply and availability are a major concern. The rising demand for li-ion batteries is majorly attributed to the upsurge in the adoption of EVs, grid electrical storage, and other uses. This, in turn, is rising the prices, while impacting EVs and other markets. Hence, Li-ion battery recycling at the end-of-life (EoL) offers a solution not just to reduce environmental effects but also a source of important materials such as lithium and cobalt, that can be utilized in making new batteries.

Source:

The source segment is further classified into consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, and others. Among these, the consumer electronics sub-segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021. Currently, consumer electronics make up the bulk of spent batteries. Due to increasing environmental awareness among consumers and various waste legislation policies worldwide, the sustainable recycling of batteries retrieved from consumer electronics has grown. In developing nations, there is a growing concern about the hazardous properties of metals and substances that are in batteries. Many government regulations have designated various batteries such as lithium and lead-acid batteries as hazardous waste and must be disposed of and recycled safely. For instance, in 2022, the Government of India announced various battery waste management guidelines to ensure the sustainable management of waste batteries. The guidelines order that spent batteries be gathered and sent for recycling while forbidding their dumping in landfills.

Technology:

The technology segment is further classified into pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, hybrid, and others. Among these, the pyrometallurgical sub-segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021. Pyrometallurgical methods are employed commercially to recycle used batteries from various applications. High-temperature thermal treatments are used in pyrometallurgical recycling to discharge battery cells, remove flammable electrolytes, breakdown organic materials, and remove the separator layer. For the purpose of eliminating the binder and electrolyte without impacting the recovery of the cathode and anode active materials, industries also employ low-temperature thermal treatment (500°C).

Region:

The battery recycling market in the Asia-Pacific region is projected to show the fastest growth, owing to the increasing adoption of EVs, the growing renewable sector, and the rising sale of consumer electronics. In India, China, Japan, and South Korea the popularity of EVs is increasing at a rapid rate. Global EV sales are led by China, while other developing nations like India are modernizing their public transit systems to accommodate EVs. These factors are expected to increase the demand for Li-ion batteries in the upcoming years. Hence, the battery recycling market is anticipated to benefit from it.

Key Players in the Global Battery Recycling Market

Some of the leading battery recycling market players are

• GEM Co. Ltd.
• Guangdong Brunp recycling Technology Co. Ltd.
• Battery Systems Inc.
• Umicore
• ENERSYS
• Glencore
• Li-Cycle Corporation
• The Doe Run Company
• ACCUREC-Recycling GmbH
• RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc