Ranking of Top Lead Refiner Factories in China 2025

Founded in 2005, EcoCycle Tech has grown from a small regional operation to a global leader in lead recycling, and in 2025, it retains its crown as China's top lead refiner factory. What sets EcoCycle apart? It's their obsession with lead acid battery recycling equipment and lead refinery machine equipment that's second to none. Walk through their state-of-the-art facility in Jiangsu, and you'll see a seamless process: used lead-acid batteries (the kind in cars, trucks, and backup power systems) arrive by the truckload, are broken down by automated systems, and their components—lead paste, plastic casings, and sulfuric acid—are separated and processed.

EcoCycle's flagship lead acid battery breaking and separation system is a marvel of engineering. It uses a combination of mechanical sorting and chemical treatment to recover over 99% of the lead in each battery, a rate that many competitors can only dream of. But what really impresses clients is the company's commitment to the environment. They've invested millions in air pollution control system equipment that captures and neutralizes emissions, ensuring their facilities meet even the strictest Europeanｕｎｉｏｎstandards. "We don't just recycle lead—we recycle responsibly," says Wang Lei, EcoCycle's Chief Technology Officer. "Our air filtration systems remove 99.7% of harmful particulates, and our water treatment plants ensure no toxic runoff reaches local ecosystems."

With annual capacity exceeding 120,000 tons of recycled lead and clients in over 40 countries (including major automakers and battery manufacturers in Europe and North America), EcoCycle Tech isn't just leading in China—it's redefining what global lead recycling can be.

If EcoCycle is the king of scale, GreenResource is the prince of innovation. Established in 2010 in Guangdong, this factory has made a name for itself by diversifying beyond lead-acid batteries into other complex recycling streams—like circuit board recycling equipment —while still excelling in lead refining. Their secret? A focus on hydraulic press machines equipment that allows for precision in both lead processing and other metal recovery.

GreenResource's lead refinery line uses hydraulic presses to compact lead scrap into dense briquettes, making melting more efficient and reducing energy use by 20% compared to traditional methods. "Hydraulics give us control," explains Zhang Wei, GreenResource's Production Director. "We can adjust pressure and temperature with pinpoint accuracy, which means purer lead and less waste." But it's their integration of lead recycling with other technologies that's turning heads. For example, their circuit board recycling plant with dry separator (capable of 500-2000kg/hour capacity) not only recovers gold, silver, and copper from old electronics but also extracts trace amounts of lead, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Certified by ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, GreenResource has become a favorite among clients who value versatility. In 2024, they launched a new line of filter press equipment designed specifically for lead paste recovery, which has cut processing time by 30%. With annual lead recycling capacity of 95,000 tons and a growing reputation in Southeast Asia, GreenResource is nipping at EcoCycle's heels—and in some niche markets, it's already ahead.

RecycloMax Industries, based in Shandong, is the dark horse of China's lead refining scene. Founded in 2012, it's younger than many competitors, but its aggressive investment in R&D has propelled it to the top tier. RecycloMax's claim to fame? A complete "cradle-to-grave" solution for lead recycling, from collecting used batteries to producing high-purity lead ingots ready for manufacturing. At the heart of this system is their rotary furnace for paste reduction —a key component in lead acid battery recycling that efficiently converts lead paste into molten lead, minimizing energy loss and emissions.

What clients love about RecycloMax is their attention to detail. They don't just sell equipment; they design entire recycling plants tailored to a client's needs. For example, a European client in 2023 needed a facility that could handle both lead-acid batteries and scrap cables. RecycloMax delivered a custom setup that included their hydraulic cutter equipment for chopping cables and a modified lead separation line, all integrated into a single workflow. "We think of ourselves as problem solvers," says Li Jia, RecycloMax's Sales Director. "If a client has a unique waste stream, we'll build the machine to process it."

With annual capacity of 85,000 tons and a focus on after-sales support (they offer 24/7 technical assistance to global clients), RecycloMax is quickly becoming the go-to choice for businesses that want more than just a supplier—they want a partner.

Sustainable Lead Solutions, or SLS, is proof that environmental responsibility and profitability can go hand in hand. Founded in 2010 in Zhejiang, SLS has built its brand around one core promise: "Zero waste, zero harm." To deliver on that, they've invested heavily in air pollution control machines equipment and effluent treatment machine equipment , making their facilities some of the cleanest in the industry.

SLS's lead refining process starts with a wet process equipment stage, where lead paste is dissolved in a chemical solution to separate impurities—a method that uses less energy than dry processing and reduces emissions. The resulting lead solution is then purified using electrolysis, producing lead of 99.99% purity, which is highly sought after by battery manufacturers. "Our clients in Japan and South Korea pay a premium for our lead because they know it's clean," says Chen Ming, SLS's Environmental Compliance Officer. "Our air pollution control system uses a combination of scrubbers and activated carbon filters to remove sulfur dioxide and heavy metals, and our water treatment plants recycle 80% of the water used in processing."

SLS might have a slightly lower annual capacity (75,000 tons) than EcoCycle or GreenResource, but its focus on sustainability has earned it certifications from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partnerships with global NGOs. For companies that want to align their supply chains with eco-friendly goals, SLS is the clear choice.

Rounding out our top five is Advanced Recycling Systems, a Beijing-based factory that's making waves with its hybrid approach. While lead is its bread and butter, ARS has also ventured into li battery recycling equipment and motor recycling machines equipment , giving it a diversified portfolio that's attractive in 2025's evolving market. But make no mistake—their lead refining game is strong, thanks to their hydraulic briquetter equipment and single shaft shredder equipment .

ARS's process starts with shredding used batteries into small pieces using their single shaft shredders, which are designed to handle tough materials without jamming. The shredded material is then sorted, and lead-rich fractions are compressed into briquettes with hydraulic briquetters, making them easier to transport and melt. "Our shredders and briquetters work in tandem to reduce waste and cut costs," says Zhao Xin, ARS's Operations Manager. "A client in Australia recently told us our equipment helped them reduce transportation costs by 15% because the briquettes are so dense."

With annual lead capacity of 70,000 tons and a growing line of lithium battery recycling systems (a nod to the future of energy storage), ARS is positioning itself as a forward-thinking player. It may not be the biggest, but its ability to adapt to new recycling trends makes it a factory to watch in the years ahead.