On October 26, driven by the new EU Battery Act, it is reported that Europe’s battery recycling capacity is expected to increase from 19 GWh in 2023 to 80 GWh by 2030, more than tripling the growth, raising the proportion of the global total capacity from 10% to 40%.
Dr. Carolin Kresse, an expert in materials recycling at the German Materials Agency, made the above prediction on October 25 at the China-Germany New Energy Battery Materials Summit.
The European market is a significant export destination for China’s EV batteries. The introduction of this Battery Act has raised high attention among Chinese EV battery export companies. Such a high recycling ratio will significantly increase the company’s costs.
Stages of used battery recycling
Requirements for Battery Material Recycling
Lithium recovery rates should reach 50% by 2027 and 80% by 2031, while cobalt, copper, lead and nickel recovery rates should reach 90% by 2027 and 95% by 2031.
Establishment of an Extended Producer Responsibility System
Battery producers must register with the competent authority designated in each member state and bear extended producer responsibility, including organizing the categorized collection of used batteries, arranging subsequent activities like transportation, reuse, remanufacturing, processing, and recycling, etc.
Battery Recycling
Requirements for the collection rate of waste portable and light-duty vehicle batteries: by December 31, 2023, the collection rate should reach 45%, 70% by December 31, 2025, and 80% by December 31, 2030.
Source: Wechat Official Account—锂电百事通
