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Global Battery Recycling Trends: Regional Growth and Talent Demand
30 Apr, 20256 Minutes
The global battery recycling market is growing rapidly, valued at $1.83 billion in 2023 and expected to reach $24.11 billion by 2030. As demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions rises, more businesses and governments are investing in battery recycling to recover critical minerals and improve sustainability, making it a key aspect of building a sustainable circular economy.
Some of the key regions leading growth in battery recycling include:
- Germany
- Canada
- South America
- Middle East
- India
- USA
In this article, we explore how different regions are driving battery recycling innovation and how partnering with battery recruitment specialists helps businesses and senior professionals succeed in this evolving industry.
Contact CSG Talent today to discover how we can connect your business with senior-level battery recycling talent.
Battery Recycling in Germany
Germany has established itself as the European leader in advanced recycling innovations. EV battery recycling market is set to grow from approximately $22.3 million in 2023 to a predicted $646.8 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 61.8%. 
In September 2023, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provided funding to strengthen the entire battery value chain, including cell manufacturing, second-life applications, and battery recycling facilities. In 2024, they committed a further €8 million to support the EU Battery Passport initiative, which stores relevant battery data throughout the entire battery lifecycle, containing detailed information about a battery's production, testing, and recycling.
There are several major developments happening across Germany:
Duesenfeld’s low-temperature process reduces operating costs while recovering up to 91% of critical materials.
In spring 2024, Accurec launched Europe's first industrial-scale lithium recycling plant in Krefeld, using hydrometallurgy to recover battery-grade lithium from used cells.
Redux Recycling continues to process millions of handheld and industrial batteries each year, solidifying its status as a global leader for over 25 years.
Cylib, a German startup supported by Porsche and Bosch, is building Europe's largest battery recycling facility at Chempark Dormagen, which is projected to be operational by 2026 with an annual recycling capacity of 30,000 tonnes of end-of-life batteries.
All of this aligns with the German Battery Act, which turns the EU’s new battery regulations into law, requiring 50% of lithium to be recovered by 2027 and 80% by 2031. This government push has increased the need for companies to identify and attract leaders who can navigate strict European regulations.
Germany’s innovative developments have created strong demand for senior-level battery recycling talent, particularly in process engineering and sustainability strategy. As Germany strengthens its position in securing important mineral resources and promoting a circular economy, battery recycling specialists will become even more crucial to optimise operations and drive growth.
Battery Recycling in Canada
Canada has become a North American leader in battery recycling, processing over 6.8 million kilograms of batteries in 2024 through more than 12,000 collection sites nationwide. Driven by increased EV adoption and clean energy regulations, the national battery recycling market is expected to grow to a value of $909.8 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 38.4%. 
Non-profit organisation Call2Recycle Canada helps drive the transition by operating programmes for recycling household, e‑bike, vape, and EV batteries across the country, with the foundation diverting over 50 million kilograms of used batteries away from landfill since it was founded in 1997.
The Canadian government has also invested heavily in the sector, with over $10 billion committed since 2020 to accelerate domestic mining, processing, and recycling capabilities. For example, in summer 2024, the government awarded a total of $10 million to two Ontario-based EV battery recyclers, Electra Battery Materials and Mining Innovation Rehabilitation. These investments aim to progress the development of advanced technologies for critical mineral recovery, which are essential for a secure and sustainable battery supply chain.
This demonstrates Canada’s efforts to create a closed‑loop supply chain, strengthening its role in the global economy and creating battery recruitment opportunities in engineering and operational roles. An increasing number of experienced mining engineers are transferring their skills to the battery recycling industry, which demonstrates how attractive the sector is to senior talent.
Battery Recycling in South America
South America’s battery recycling market is also growing, with total recycling revenues of $1.39 billion in 2024 and an expected 10.2% CAGR through to 2033. The EV battery market alone accounted for $456.21 million in 2024, growing at 25.4% CAGR to 2033. This is predominantly driven by increased end-of-life collection efforts from electric vehicle manufacturers. 
A law was recently passed in Brazil that offers generous tax incentives across the entire recycling process, reducing taxes on recycled materials and encouraging more businesses to invest in battery recycling. The Inter-American Development Bank is also offering support through their “From Battery to Potential” programme, which provides technical and financial support to startups in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.
Colombian-based company Altero is a leader in South American e-waste recycling. In 2024, they processed 150 tonnes of electronic waste using a zero-emissions system that recycles materials to extract high-quality black mass.
Companies like this are reducing the need to import materials and supporting the production of electric vehicles in South America. This is creating strong demand for senior battery recycling talent, making battery recruitment specialists crucial for companies looking for leaders to help the continent move towards a circular economy.
Battery Recycling in the Middle East
In 2023, the lithium-ion recycling market across the Middle East and Africa was valued at $88.87 million, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia contributing 10.8% of this. This market is expected to reach $433.27 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 21.9% since 2024.
Governments in the region are actively supporting this growth through the construction of world-class facilities. The UAE produced its first commercial lithium-battery recycling plant at Automechanika Dubai 2024, which aims to process 5,000 tonnes of battery waste each year by the second quarter of 2027. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund created the Saudi Investment Recycling Company to improve recycling practices, including batteries and e-waste. Jordan is also contributing by applying strict regulations on car battery disposal, ensuring all battery storage and collection sites are environmentally friendly. 
Although the battery industry market is still developing in the Middle East, several companies are already driving industry growth and innovation. Located in Doha, Qatar, the Al-Reem Recycling Factory and Seashore Recycling Center are securely recycling various types of batteries. Kuwait's Environment Public Authority also has two battery recycling factories that are supported by national funding.
The Middle East’s increasing battery recycling job opportunities and attractive compensation packages are drawing specialists from across the globe. This diverse talent is driving the sector's growth and establishing the Middle East as a hotspot for battery recycling, which supports circular economy goals and increases demand for experienced battery recycling talent to lead this initiative.
Battery Recycling in India
Another country with a growing battery recycling industry is India, where the market size is expected to reach $152.68 million by the end of 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 9.06% to reach $235.57 million by 2030.
Several companies are contributing to the development of India's battery recycling sector:
Ace Green Recycling is developing India's largest lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling facility in Mundra, Gujarat, aiming for a 10,000-tonne annual capacity with a zero-emissions hydrometallurgical process by 2026.
BatX Energies has launched a lithium-ion battery recycling and critical minerals extraction plant in Uttar Pradesh, using hydrometallurgical methods and collaborating on blockchain-based battery passports for better traceability.
Lohum Cleantech, India's largest sustainable energy transition material producer, operates integrated battery recycling facilities with a 5 GWh capacity and is expanding to North America through a partnership for a U.S. recycling plant.
ReBAT specialises in eco-friendly lithium-ion battery recycling across India, utilising advanced technologies to recover battery-grade materials and promote environmental sustainability.
The Indian government is actively funding and promoting battery recycling as it recognises its importance for both environmental sustainability and securing critical materials for the growing EV industry. Significant funds have been allocated, including $3.1 billion for advanced automotive products and $2.14 billion for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage as they aim to promote local battery production and recycling capabilities.
These companies are instrumental in advancing India’s battery recycling industry, supporting the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy.
Battery Recycling in the USA
The U.S. is also a global leader in battery recycling, with the market valued at approximately $418.19 million in 2023 and projected to reach around $10.63 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 38.2%.
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced over $3 billion in grants to support 25 projects focused on enhancing the domestic battery supply chain. These initiatives include the construction of new facilities, expansion of existing operations, and advancement of recycling technologies.
Companies contributing to the development of the U.S. battery recycling sector include:
Founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, Redwood Materials is a leading battery recycling company aiming to create a circular supply chain by recovering up to 95% of critical materials and expanding operations with significant investments, including a $2 billion Department of Energy loan for a new South Carolina facility.
American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) is developing a closed-loop battery recycling process focused on separating and recovering critical materials from end-of-life batteries to reduce environmental impact and dependence on foreign materials.
Cirba Solutions manages battery waste and recovers valuable materials for reuse through its operation of multiple battery recycling facilities across the U.S.
Ascend Elements specialises in recycling lithium-ion batteries and producing engineered battery materials using its hydro-to-cathode process to transform recycled materials into new cathode materials for EV batteries.
However, the future of American battery recycling is uncertain due to the election of Donald Trump, with the president pledging to revoke the electric vehicle mandate that was set to contribute significantly to the energy transition. On the other hand, Trump's "Restoring America's Mineral Dominance" initiative, which supports the processing of critical minerals, could benefit battery recycling if this includes battery recycling projects. 
Ultimately, the future of American battery recycling depends on how the government interprets and prioritises these potentially conflicting policies.
Global Battery Recruitment Experts at CSG Talent
At CSG Talent, we have battery recruitment specialists located across the globe, which allows us to provide businesses in the battery materials industry with insights on regional regulations and supply chain networks. Our extensive battery talent network ensures we deliver senior-level candidates who understand the full lifecycle, from cell manufacturing and second-life applications to closed-loop recovery and sustainability strategy.
For senior professionals in the battery industry, partnering with CSG Talent gives you access to exciting opportunities with leading battery recycling companies and innovative startups. Our consultants offer tailored career guidance to help you navigate the competitive battery talent landscape and become a senior leader in the industry.
If you're looking to hire senior-level talent or take the next step in your career, contact our battery materials executive search team today.
