The global electric vehicle (EV) revolution is accelerating, and with it comes a pressing need to manage end-of-life batteries responsibly. Battery recycling has evolved from an environmental obligation into a strategic industry that secures critical material supplies and reduces dependence on raw mining. According to industry estimates, the battery recycling market is projected to grow from USD 28.62 billion in 2025 to USD 91.72 billion by 2034, driven by surging EV adoption and tightening environmental regulations across Europe, North America, and Asia.
As the volume of spent lithium-ion batteries increases, specialized recycling companies have emerged as key players in building a circular economy for battery materials. Below is an overview of the major EV battery recycling companies shaping this landscape.
Redwood Materials
Founded by Tesla's former CTO JB Straubel in 2017, Redwood Materials has rapidly become one of the most prominent names in battery recycling. Headquartered in Nevada, USA, the company focuses on creating a closed-loop supply chain by recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and aluminum from end-of-life batteries and manufacturing scrap. With a reported recovery rate of 95% for critical minerals and partnerships with major automakers including Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota, and Panasonic, Redwood processes more than 20 GWh of lithium-ion batteries annually and produces over 60,000 tons of critical materials.
Glencore
The Swiss-based natural resources giant Glencore has significantly expanded its battery recycling footprint through the 2025 acquisition of Li-Cycle, a lithium-ion battery recycler with facilities in Germany, the United States, and Canada. With over 140,000 employees globally, Glencore operates recycling services spanning electronics, copper-bearing metals, scrap, and batteries. The company aims to support the circular economy by reintroducing recycled metals and minerals back into the battery supply chain.
Fortum Battery Recycling
Fortum, a Nordic energy company headquartered in Espoo, Finland, operates one of the largest battery recycling plants in Europe. Its Harjavalta facility uses advanced hydrometallurgical technology to recover up to 95% of valuable metals from battery black mass. Fortum provides comprehensive solutions covering every stage of the battery lifecycle, from waste collection through pre-treatment to refining, making it the only European company offering such an integrated service.
Umicore
Based in Brussels, Belgium, Umicore brings more than a century of expertise in mining, smelting, and materials technology to battery recycling. The company employs over 11,000 people and develops recycling technology, clean mobility solutions, and advanced materials for energy and electronics applications. Umicore's pyro-hydro technology achieves recovery yields exceeding 95% for cobalt, copper, and nickel, and over 90% for lithium across various battery chemistries.
Brunp Recycling
As a subsidiary of CATL, Brunp Recycling is the largest battery recycling company in China, commanding over 50% of the country's battery recycling volume. With seven global production bases and 10,000 employees, Brunp has established technological benchmarks for the industry through its directional recycling technology. In 2025, the company achieved a cumulative shipment volume of one million tons of ternary precursors, sufficient to supply battery materials for approximately 14 million new vehicles.
Ascend Elements
This Massachusetts-based company operates a patented Hydro-to-Cathode direct cathode precursor synthesis process that improves the cost-effectiveness of battery recycling. With facilities in the US and Poland, Ascend Elements reports up to 98% recovery rates for critical minerals from used lithium-ion batteries. The company claims its technology reduces recycling costs by up to 50% and emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional methods.
The Equipment Behind Successful Recycling Operations
While these recycling companies capture headlines, the underlying machinery and processing plants make their operations possible. Building a profitable and environmentally compliant battery recycling facility requires specialized equipment capable of safely dismantling, shredding, separating, and refining battery components.
For lithium-ion battery recycling, a complete processing line typically includes discharging systems, pre-crushers, secondary granulators, magnetic separators, and black powder separation units. Modern li battery recycling equipment can process 500 to 2,500 kg per hour, recovering valuable black mass containing nickel, cobalt, and graphite, along with separated plastic, copper, and aluminum fractions.
Lead acid battery recycling remains equally important, particularly in regions with large populations of conventional vehicles and stationary power systems. A complete lead acid battery recycling equipment line includes battery breaking and separation systems, rotary furnaces for paste reduction, blast furnaces, lead refinery kettles, de-sulfurization units, and air pollution control systems. These plants typically handle 1 to 10 metric tons per hour, recovering lead paste, lead grids, plastic shells, and acid for safe disposal or reuse.
Beyond Batteries: E-Waste Recovery Infrastructure
Leading recycling companies often diversify into broader e-waste processing to maximize facility utilization and material recovery. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) from electronic devices contain copper powder and trace precious metals that can be extracted using specialized circuit board recycling equipment. Similarly, scrap cables from decommissioned vehicles and industrial sites yield valuable copper and aluminum through granulation and separation systems.
Companies like San Lan Technologies, established in 2007 and based in Jiangxi Province, China, have supplied recycling machinery to customers across more than 21 countries. With expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects for e-waste recycling plants, such manufacturers provide customized design, installation, commissioning, and ongoing technical support. Their product portfolio spans lithium battery recycling plants, lead acid battery recycling systems, circuit board recyclers, cable granulators, shredders, and metal melting furnaces.
Conclusion
The EV battery recycling industry is dominated by large-scale operators such as Redwood Materials, Glencore, Fortum, Umicore, Brunp Recycling, and Ascend Elements. These companies invest billions in refining capacity and strategic partnerships with automotive OEMs. However, the success of their operations fundamentally depends on reliable, efficient recycling equipment. For entrepreneurs, investors, and established waste management companies looking to enter this growing market, selecting the right equipment supplier with proven EPC experience and comprehensive after-sales support is as critical as choosing the recycling technology itself.
