Top 10 Lead Refiners in the United States, 2025

When it comes to lead recycling, Johnson Controls isn’t just a name—it’s a legacy. Founded over 135 years ago and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this global giant has perfected the art of turning scrap lead-acid batteries into usable metal. Walk through their state-of-the-art facilities, and you’ll see why they’re a leader: lead acid battery recycling equipment that efficiently breaks down battery casings, lead refinery machine equipment that purifies lead paste into 99.99% pure metal, and metal melting furnace equipment (including advanced medium frequency models) that handles high volumes with minimal energy waste.

Johnson Controls processes over 60 million lead-acid batteries annually across North America, making them responsible for nearly a third of the U.S. lead recycling market. What really sets them apart? Their commitment to the environment. Each facility is equipped with a top-tier air pollution control system equipment that captures emissions, ensuring they meet (and often exceed) EPA standards. For Johnson Controls, recycling isn’t just about profit—it’s about closing the loop, so every battery gets a second life.

If Johnson Controls is the legacy, Exide Technologies is the workhorse. With roots dating back to 1888 and headquarters in Milton, Georgia, Exide has built its reputation on reliability—both in the batteries it manufactures and the scrap it recycles. Their specialty? Lead refining for automotive and industrial batteries, using some of the most robust medium frequency electricity furnace equipment in the industry. These furnaces heat lead scrap to precise temperatures, ensuring impurities are burned off, and the end product is pure enough for new battery grids.

Exide operates five major recycling facilities across the U.S., each processing 10,000 to 15,000 tons of lead scrap monthly. They’re also pioneers in lead acid battery breaking and separation systems , which automate the process of separating lead plates, plastic casings, and acid electrolyte. This automation not only speeds up production but also reduces worker exposure to hazards. In 2024, Exide invested $50 million in upgrading their air pollution control system equipment , cutting emissions by 40% and setting a new benchmark for clean recycling.

GSF Energy might not have the century-long history of its competitors, but don’t let that fool you—this Houston, Texas-based company is a rising star in regional lead refining. Founded in 2005, GSF focuses on serving the southern U.S., where automotive and industrial scrap is abundant. Their secret weapon? A focus on efficiency. They’ve optimized their workflow with dry process equipment that reduces water usage by 70% compared to traditional wet refining, and hydraulic press machines equipment that compacts lead scrap into dense briquettes for easier melting.

GSF’s flagship facility in Dallas processes 8,000 tons of lead monthly, with a unique selling point: they accept “mixed” scrap, including lead from old pipes, weights, and even CRT monitors (yes, they handle CRT recycling machines equipment too!). This flexibility has made them a favorite among local scrap yards. In 2023, they added a portable briquette machine (model PHBM-003) to their mobile units, allowing them to process scrap on-site at construction sites, reducing transportation costs and emissions.

Retriev Technologies, based in Westlake, Ohio, is proof that small can be mighty. Founded in 1992, this family-owned business has carved a niche as the “greenest” refiner in the Midwest. Their claim to fame? A closed-loop recycling system that leaves almost zero waste. Here’s how it works: lead acid battery breaking and separation system first splits batteries into plastic, lead, and acid. The plastic is cleaned and sold to manufacturers, the acid is neutralized and reused in fertilizer, and the lead goes through dry process equipment (no water, no sludge) to become pure metal.

Retriev processes around 30,000 tons of lead annually, but their impact goes beyond numbers. They were the first U.S. refiner to earn the ISO 14001 environmental certification, and their air pollution control system equipment uses advanced filters to capture 99.9% of particulate matter. “We don’t just recycle lead—we respect it,” says CEO Mark Retriev. “Every ounce of scrap has a story, and we make sure it ends with a new beginning.”

Sims Metal Management is a household name in scrap recycling, and their lead refining division is no exception. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Sims operates a network of 20+ U.S. facilities, each handling everything from car batteries to old radiators. What makes their lead operations stand out? Their integration with other metals. When a scrap car arrives, Sims’ shredder and pre-chopper equipment tears it apart, and magnets separate ferrous metals, while eddy currents pick out non-ferrous—including lead. This “one-stop shop” approach makes them a go-to for scrap dealers.

Sims processes over 50,000 tons of lead annually, using hydraulic press machines equipment to compact loose lead scrap into dense blocks before melting. They’re also investing heavily in automation: their latest facility in Los Angeles uses AI-powered sorters to separate lead from other metals, reducing human error and increasing efficiency by 25%. For Sims, lead is just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a crucial one—proof that recycling works best when it’s integrated.

Recycling Dynamics, based in Tampa, Florida, is the innovator of the bunch. Founded in 2005, this young company has made waves with its “no-nonsense” approach to lead refining. Their secret? Simplifying the process. Instead of complex machinery, they use rugged, low-maintenance mechanism cutter equipment to break down battery casings and single shaft shredder equipment to reduce lead plates into manageable pieces. This makes their facilities cheaper to run and easier to repair—perfect for small to mid-sized scrap yards.

Recycling Dynamics processes 15,000 tons of lead annually, but their growth is skyrocketing (up 40% in 2024 alone). They’ve also expanded into niche markets, like motor recycling machines equipment (recovering lead from old motor stators) and cable recycling equipment (extracting lead from insulated cables). “We don’t chase the biggest clients—we chase the most overlooked scrap,” says founder Maria Gonzalez. “There’s lead in places people forget, and we’re here to find it.”

EBS, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is all about “green tech for green results.” Founded in 2010, they’ve built their brand on eco-friendly lead recycling, starting with their wet process equipment that uses recycled water (instead of fresh) to clean lead scrap. Their crown jewel? A proprietary lead refinery machine equipment that uses 30% less energy than traditional models, thanks to heat recovery systems that reuse waste heat from furnaces.

EBS processes 25,000 tons of lead annually, with a focus on serving the Southwest’s booming solar and EV industries (yes, even EVs have lead in some components!). They’re also leaders in transparency: their website features a live “sustainability dashboard” showing real-time emissions data, energy usage, and recycled tonnage. “We want our customers to see exactly how their scrap is making a difference,” says sustainability director Lisa Chen.

Lead Processing LLC is the quiet expert of the group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, this mid-sized firm has been refining lead since 1978, specializing in “difficult” scrap—think corroded lead pipes, lead-based paint chips, and even old ammunition. Their secret? A fleet of medium frequency electricity furnace equipment that can handle low-grade scrap, melting it at lower temperatures to preserve valuable metal. They also use hydraulic briquetter equipment to compress dusty lead powder into solid briquettes, reducing waste and improving safety.

Lead Processing handles around 18,000 tons of lead annually, but their real value is in problem-solving. When a local construction company needed to recycle lead from a 1920s school renovation, Lead Processing designed a custom portable briquetting machine (PHBM-004 model) to process the scrap on-site, avoiding costly transportation. “We don’t just take scrap—we take on challenges,” says operations manager Tom Reed.

National Lead Refiners (NLR), based in St. Louis, Missouri, is a regional powerhouse with a focus on quality. Founded in 1955, they’ve built a reputation for producing lead so pure, it’s used in medical devices and aerospace components. How do they do it? A multi-step refining process that starts with lead acid battery recycling equipment to break down scrap, then uses dry process equipment to remove sulfur and other impurities, followed by metal melting furnace equipment that’s calibrated to 0.1-degree precision.

NLR processes 22,000 tons of lead annually, with a 99.999% purity rate that’s the envy of the industry. They’re also pioneers in traceability: every batch of lead is tracked from scrap collection to final product, with a digital certificate of authenticity sent to customers. “Our clients trust us because they know exactly where their metal comes from,” says sales director Jane Miller. “In a world of shortcuts, we take the long way—and it pays off.”

Rounding out our list is Green Planet Recycling, the underdog with a big heart. Based in Portland, Oregon, this employee-owned cooperative started in 2008 with a simple mission: make lead recycling accessible to small businesses and communities. They specialize in mobile recycling, bringing portable briquette machine units (like the PHBM-002) to auto shops, farms, and schools, so customers don’t have to haul scrap far. Their facilities are small but efficient, using compact granulator with dry separator equipment to process lead in tight spaces.

Green Planet processes just 8,000 tons of lead annually, but their impact is huge. They’ve recycled over 500,000 car batteries in rural Oregon alone, preventing lead leakage into soil and water. “We’re not the biggest, but we’re the most connected,” says co-founder Mike Torres. “Every battery we pick up is a conversation with a local business owner about sustainability—and that’s how change happens.”