Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market (By End User: Automotive, Non-automotive, Industrial, Power, Marine, Others; By Battery Components: Active Material, Non-active Material; By Battery Chemistry: Lithium-nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li-NMC), Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP), Lithium-manganese Oxide (LMO), Lithium-titanate Oxide (LTO), Lithium-nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA); By Recycling Process; By Source) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Regional Outlook, and Forecast 2023-2032

The global lithium-ion battery recycling market size was estimated at USD 8.06 billion in 2023, and it is projected to hit around USD 66.36 billion by 2032 and is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.4% from 2023 to 2032.

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Key Takeaways

• By end user, the non-automotive segment accounted largest revenue share 63% in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 39.5%.
• In 2022, the electronics segment generated a revenue share of about 68%.
• The hydrometallurgical process segment has garnered a market share of 65% in 2022.
• The electric vehicle segment is growing at a registered CAGR of 45% over the forecast period.
• Asia-Pacific region is registering growth at a CAGR of 41% during the forecast period.
• In 2022, Europe dominated the market with 36.2% of revenue share.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market in Europe 2023 To 2032

The Europe lithium-ion battery recycling market size was valued at USD 2.91 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 23.27 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 26% from 2023 to 2032.

In 2022, Europe dominated the global lithium-ion battery industry. While United States is anticipated to grow the fastest CAGR between 2023 and 2032. Among the biggest economies for recovering lithium-ion batteries is the United States. During the forecast timeframe, the industry of lithium-ion battery recycling is anticipated to develop as a result of the expansion of electrical automobiles in the region and regulatory laws regarding lithium-ion battery recovery. The marketplace for electrical automobiles in the region would be improved by rising investments from major participants in the industry, and by expanding infrastructures for electric cars, which will favorably affect the lithium-ion recycling programs.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Overview

Lithium-ion battery regeneration refers to the gathering of lithium-ion batteries from a variety of sources, such as automobiles, consumer goods, industrial equipment, and electronic devices, as well as the extraction of metal using recycling procedures. The world market estimate includes income from sales of such reclaimed elements or components, regardless of whether they are used in additional battery recovery and other uses that necessitate a secondary use. It is said that the majority of elements retrieved are simply used to make batteries.

The worldwide lithium-ion recycling market is anticipated to expand as a result of variables including governmental laws, environmental protection, and increasing understanding. Furthermore, inappropriate lithium-ion battery recycling global growth is anticipated to be hampered during the forecast timeframe by incorrect separating of hazardous lithium batteries, incorrect disassembly, and inappropriate shredding. The availability of coating materials to decrease the likelihood of flame as well as the beautiful appearance of cells are predicted to open up new development potential in the global marketplace.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Scope

Growth Factors

One of the main drivers driving the industry of lithium-ion recycling is the huge requirement of electrical automobiles all over the world, together with subsidies offered by governments of different nations for rechargeable batteries. Due to worries about the ecological damage caused by automobiles running on traditional sources of energy like gasoline and diesel, there has been a considerable increase in electric vehicle demand.

One of the key drivers is the declining price of batteries used in electric vehicles. The resource recovery business is predicted to increase quickly thanks to the transport industry. Because of its highly efficient, extended lifespan, and low care requirements, lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular in portable electronics and electric cars, which is projected toward a beneficial effect on the market for sustainable packaging. Since the market is valuation, development throughout the projection period is anticipated to be constrained. Given that the majority of refiners employ essentially the same technologies, the cost is becoming a crucial distinguishing feature.

New techniques are also created to cut expenses and stop environmental contamination. To collect the purpose of collecting used batteries, ECOBAT is created its collection mechanism. New techniques are also being explored to cut expenses and stop environmental contamination.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Drivers

Rising Interest in Electric Vehicles

The usage of renewable biofuels is becoming more prevalent in the automotive sector. The transport network is heavily dependent on oil as a resource, which is raising worries among economics and the environment alike. The use of electric cars is growing along with ecological sustainability. EDVs are being used more frequently, which is causing an increase in the demand for fuel cells, that are necessary for a constant energy supply. The industry for EVs is anticipated to expand as a result of variables like fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and customer choice. Due to better battery tech as well as the minimal downtime needs of these fuel cells, the electric vehicle market is rising.

New techniques are being created to cut expenses and stop environmental pollution

By constructing new recycling facilities and collecting sites, businesses are trying to boost their level of competition. New techniques are being forced to cut expenses and stop environmental pollution. To collect the purpose of collecting used batteries, ECOBAT has created its collection mechanism. New techniques are also being explored to cut expenses and stop environmental contamination.

The escalating trend for personal electronics and lithium-ion batteries

The recycling business is predicted to increase quickly thanks to the transportation sector. Because of their highly efficient, extended lifespan, and low care requirements, fuel cells are becoming increasingly popular in portable electronics and electric cars, which is anticipated to have a beneficial effect on the market for goods produced.

Key Market Challenges

• Safety concerns about the shipment and storage of the used battery: Dangerous compounds found in used cells include chemicals & toxic substances like lead and zinc. Used cells retain some of their energy, thus increasing the risk of an unintentional release that could harm or harm both individuals and property. Larger lithium-based cells, like those employed in vehicle industries, may be mislabelled as storage batteries by regional battery producers. Due to such problems, state or federal authorities restrict the shipment and storage of expended cells.
• Due to the high expense of lithium recovery out of used lithium-ion batteries, recycle: The Institute for economics And finance (CEE) estimates that just 1-3 percent of lithium gets recovered worldwide from all usage. Furthermore, businesses like Umicore (Belgium), and Toxco (US) among others, are developing technology for the recovery of lithium using lithium-based cells. Furthermore, among the problems identified as industry obstacles include the massive price of recycling, the lack of suitable storage solutions for the collecting of used batteries, and the scarcity of recyclable materials.

Key Market Opportunities

Rising acceptance in novel applications, a drop in lithium-ion battery pricing, and recycling at the final moment are all anticipated outcomes of increased production

Modern lithium-ion batteries are made up of several parts that are offered at discounted prices. The costs of these cells are anticipated to significantly fall, according to recent advances and statements made by automakers and manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries. Costs are dropping as a result of innovations including mass production, decreasing unit cost, and the use of technologies to increase storage capacity. The industry for storage of renewable energies is predicted to expand as a result of falling lithium battery prices, and this industry is predicted to favor battery cells above all other rechargeables. The need for recovering used lithium-based batteries is then anticipated to rise as a result.     

An increasing number of government recycling programs and R&D projects

There are many uses for lithium-ion batteries, and as additional development and research is done, more advanced qualities are now being created. To meet the increasing need for lithium-ion batteries used in electric mobility, healthcare gadgets, and communication system, businesses are new product manufacturing plants. New opportunities for the growth of the worldwide lithium-ion battery industry are being created by newly constructed factories and expanding research and development activities.

End Use Insights

The market for recovering lithium-ion batteries is expected to be dominated by the automotive industry. Due to significant advancements in the automotive industry that are directly related to lithium-ion batteries, such as a decrease in the cost of lithium-ion batteries and an increase in the efficiency of electric vehicles, the automotive industry now accounts for the largest segment of the global lithium-ion battery recycling market. These factors increased the demand for battery-powered cars, which boosted the lithium-ion battery recycling business.

Also, regulations and subsidies related to battery recycling by countries such as China and Germany have fuelled the market growth for lithium-ion battery recycling. This stays accredited to the rise in demand for second-life applications of lithium-ion batteries in consumer electronics devices such as laptops, digital cameras, smartphones, and others that do not require longer battery life as compared to electric vehicles and industrial applications.

Battery Chemistry Insights

Due to its expanding use in energy storage technologies and the automobile industries in e-bikes or other e-mobility, the lithium-nickel Mn cobalt segment dominated the greatest proportion of the battery pack recycling industry. (Li-NMC) cells are in high demand due to their low cost, high efficiency, & extended life span. Due to the increased demand for battery oxide batteries for uses such as electric, gasoline, smart meters, flame and smoke detectors, security equipment, or other power storage technologies, the lithium-manganese oxide sector had the biggest market share in 2021. Additionally, it has benefits including lengthy dependability, a long life, and a high temp handling capacity, all of which are predicted to support market expansion throughout the projected timeframe.

Recycling Process Insights

In 2022, the hydrometallurgical procedure segment held the largest market position. This is ascribed to the benefits of hydrometallurgical recovery and recycling over other cell recycling technologies, like its capacity to handle low-grade components, regulate trash easily, use less power, and recycle aluminum and lithium.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Share, By Region, 2022 (%)

Recent Developments

• Li-Cycle Ventures revealed in September 2021 that an operational lithium-ion battery recovery plant would be built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Eventually, it is anticipated that the facility will be capable of handling 5,000 tonnes of both material waste and final cells annually. The industry's place in the market to meet the growing demand is strengthened by this development, which also improves its global coverage in the United States.
• Glencore and Britishvolt, a forerunner in the UK's manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles announced a lengthy constructive partnership in Aug 2021. Throughout its line of products, this agreement strengthens Glencore's presence in the lithium-ion packaging sector.
• Accurec finalized the rebuilding of a Krefeld factory in June 2021, doubling both the capacity of communities and also the data encryption for lithium-ion batteries. The industry's expansion in the lithium-ion packaging sector is highlighted by this innovation, which also aids in boosting output.
• In June 2021, the Cathode Activated Material facility location in Schwarzheide, German, will see the start of the building of a new battery manufacturing concept facility by the German chemical corporation BASF. When lithium-ion batteries approach their end of life, the company hopes to remove manganese, cobalt, lithium, and nickel using an excellent approach.
• The Canadian company Li-Cycle proclaimed that it would begin a relationship with Helbiz to develop sustainable recycling options for LIBs that are now installed in e-scooters and e-bikes but are approaching the end of their useful lives In July 2021.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Companies

• Accurec-Recycling GmbH (Germany)
• AkkuSer (Finland)
• American Manganese Inc. (Canada)
• American Zinc Recycling Corp (U.S.)
• Batrec Industrie AG (Switzerland)
• Battery Recycling Made Easy (BRME) (US)
• Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) (China),
• DOWA ECO-SYSTEM Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• Duesenfeld GmbH (Germany)
• Ecobat (UK)
• Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd (Australia)
• Euro Dieuze Industrie (E.D.I.) (France)
• Fortum (Finland)
• GEM Co., Ltd (China)
• Glencore International AG (Switzerland)
• Lithion Recycling Inc. (Canada)
• Metal Conversion Technologies (MCT) (US)
• Neometals Ltd (Australia)
• OnTo Technology LLC (US)
• Raw Materials Company Inc. (RMC) (Canada)
• Redux GmbH (Germany)
• Redwood Materials, Inc. (US)
• Retriev Technologies Inc. (Canada)
• San Lan Technologies Co., Ltd (China)
• SITRASA (Mexico)
• SMC Recycling (US)
• SNAM (France)
• Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• Tata Chemicals Limited (India)
• TES (Singapore)
• Umicore (Belgium)
• uRecycle Group Oy (Finland)

Segments covered in the report:

By End User

• Automotive
• Non-automotive
  • Industrial
  • Power
  • Marine
  • Others

By Battery Components    

• Active Material
• Non-active Material

By Battery Chemistry 

• Lithium-nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li-NMC)
• Lithium-iron Phosphate (LFP)
• Lithium-manganese Oxide (LMO)
• Lithium-titanate Oxide (LTO)
• Lithium-nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA)

By Recycling Process

• Hydrometallurgical Process
• Pyrometallurgy Process
• Physical/ Mechanical Process

By Source

• Electric Vehicles
• Electronics
• Power Tools
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• U.S.
• Canada
• Europe
• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)