The global battery recycling market was valued at USD 13.17 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 27.91 billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.80%. This expansion is driven by increasing environmental regulations, rising demand for electric vehicles, and the need to secure a sustainable supply chain for critical materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. As the industry matures, several companies have gone public, giving investors direct exposure to this emerging sector.
Why EV Battery Recycling Matters
Electric vehicle batteries typically last 8 to 15 years before their capacity drops below usable levels. Without proper recycling, millions of tons of spent batteries could end up in landfills, releasing toxic chemicals and wasting valuable metals. Recycling recovers up to 95% of materials from lithium-ion batteries, reducing the need for new mining operations and lowering the overall carbon footprint of battery production.
Governments worldwide are tightening regulations around battery disposal. The European Union's Battery Directive and similar policies in North America and Asia require manufacturers to take responsibility for end-of-life batteries. These regulations create a stable demand base for recycling services and the li battery recycling equipment that powers these operations.
Publicly Traded EV Battery Recycling Companies
Umicore SA (OTC: UMICY)
Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and founded in 1805, Umicore is one of the most established players in battery materials and recycling. The company uses integrated pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processing to recover lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and precious metals. Umicore's recycling business group reported strong performance in early 2026, supported by high activity levels and favorable metal-market conditions. The company supplies cathode materials to major battery manufacturers, making it a critical link in the EV supply chain.
American Battery Technology Company (NASDAQ: ABAT)
Based in Reno, Nevada, ABTC focuses on lithium-ion battery recycling, lithium extraction, and critical-mineral manufacturing. The company employs automated de-manufacturing combined with targeted hydrometallurgical recovery processes. In February 2026, ABTC reported record quarterly revenue with manufacturing operations expanding significantly. The company's stock trades on the Nasdaq exchange, offering investors direct exposure to North American battery recycling growth.
Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (OTCQX: LICYF)
Li-Cycle operates a spoke-and-hub network for processing lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems. The company's two-step process first mechanically shreds batteries and then uses hydrometallurgy to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and graphite. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Li-Cycle has positioned itself as a pure-play lithium-ion recycler targeting the North American market.
EnerSys (NYSE: ENS)
Established in 2000 and headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, EnerSys is a major industrial battery manufacturer with established recycling programs. The company collects and recycles used industrial batteries, operating a closed-loop system that returns materials to the supply chain. While not a pure recycling play, EnerSys offers investors exposure to battery lifecycle management through its comprehensive service network.
Glencore plc (LSE: GLEN)
Glencore is a diversified mining and commodities trading giant based in Baar, Switzerland. Beyond mining cobalt, nickel, and copper, the company operates recycling facilities that process electronic scrap and metal-bearing industrial residues. Glencore's recycling operations complement its mining activities, providing an alternative source of materials as demand from battery manufacturers grows.
Exide Industries Limited (NSE: EXIDEIND)
Exide is one of India's leading battery manufacturers with expanding recycling operations. In March 2026, the company was recognized among India's leading sustainable companies for its circularity and recycled-material initiatives. Exide's established presence in the lead-acid battery market provides a foundation for its growing lithium-ion recycling capabilities.
Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd (SZSE: 002460)
Ganfeng is one of the world's largest lithium producers and has invested significantly in battery recycling. The Chinese company recovers lithium, cobalt, and nickel from spent batteries to feed back into its material production lines. Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Ganfeng offers investors exposure to both lithium mining and the recycling sector.
Gravita India Ltd. (NSE: GRAVITA)
Gravita India has traditionally focused on lead recycling but announced in January 2026 that it would enter lithium-ion battery recycling through a new facility at Mundra in Gujarat. This move positions the company to capture opportunities in India's growing EV market while leveraging its existing metallurgical expertise.
Other Notable Companies
Several other companies are active in battery recycling though not primarily focused on EV batteries. East Penn Manufacturing operates closed-loop lead-acid battery recycling in Pennsylvania. RecycLiCo Battery Materials develops hydrometallurgical processes for recovering cathode materials. Aqua Metals, selected in June 2026 as an industrial partner for a U.S. Department of Energy-funded recycling program, uses an innovative water-based recycling approach for lead-acid batteries with potential applications for lithium-ion.
Investment Considerations
When evaluating battery recycling stocks, investors should consider several factors. Technology differentiation matters because companies with proprietary processes often achieve higher recovery rates and lower processing costs. Regulatory environment affects demand, as stricter disposal rules create mandatory recycling volumes. Feedstock access is critical since proximity to battery manufacturers and collection networks determines operational efficiency.
Many publicly traded recyclers are still ramping up commercial operations. Revenue growth can be uneven as facilities reach capacity and offtake agreements are negotiated. Investors should examine each company's cash position, capital expenditure plans, and partnerships with battery manufacturers or automakers.
The Role of Recycling Equipment
Behind every successful recycling company is reliable processing equipment. Whether handling lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion cells, recyclers depend on specialized machinery for breaking, separation, and material recovery. San Lan Technologies manufactures industrial-grade lead acid battery recycling equipment and li battery recycling equipment used by operators worldwide. The company also supplies circuit board recycling equipment for recovering metals from electronic waste, complementing battery recycling operations.
Equipment capacity, recovery rates, and environmental compliance are key factors that recycling companies consider when selecting machinery. As the battery recycling industry scales from billions to tens of billions of dollars, demand for efficient processing equipment will grow alongside the publicly traded companies operating these facilities.
Conclusion
The EV battery recycling sector offers growing public market exposure through established material companies like Umicore and Glencore, pure-play recyclers like ABTC and Li-Cycle, and diversified manufacturers like EnerSys and Exide. As battery production continues to expand to meet EV demand, the recycling infrastructure supporting this ecosystem becomes increasingly valuable. Investors looking at this space should balance the growth potential against the operational challenges these companies face as they scale.
