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With the surge in demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, global battery production has experienced explosive growth. According to statistics, global lithium battery production exceeded 700GWh in 2023 and is expected to exceed 3000GWh by 2030. However, this has brought with it the challenge of disposing of a large number of used batteries. Currently, over 500,000 tons of used lithium batteries are generated globally each year, but the recycling rate is less than 20%. Most batteries end up in landfills or unused, wasting resources and potentially causing environmental pollution.

The Necessity of Battery Recycling

Battery recycling is not only an environmental imperative but also a key resource strategy. Lithium batteries contain scarce metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are expensive to mine and have a significant environmental impact. Recycling reduces reliance on primary minerals and mitigates supply chain risks. Furthermore, improper handling of the electrolyte and heavy metals in used batteries can contaminate soil and water sources. An efficient recycling system can reduce environmental pollution, promote the development of a circular economy, and achieve efficient resource utilization.

Battery Recycling Sorting and Processing Technologies

Currently, battery recycling is primarily categorized into physical and chemical methods. Physical methods separate metals and plastics through mechanical crushing, screening, and magnetic separation, making them suitable for large-scale preprocessing. Chemical methods employ hydrometallurgy or pyrometallurgy to dissolve or smelt to extract high-purity metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Secondary utilization is another important approach, extending the lifecycle of retired power batteries by downgrading them for energy storage or low-speed electric vehicles. Different battery types (such as ternary lithium and lithium iron phosphate) require different recycling processes to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Current Level and Challenges of Battery Recycling

Despite continuous advancements in battery recycling technology, the industry still faces numerous challenges. While European and American countries have introduced legislation to promote recycling, and China has established a preliminary recycling network, the overall recycling rate remains low. Technical bottlenecks (such as metal separation purity and cost control) and an imperfect recycling system are major obstacles. In the future, automated sorting, green metallurgical technologies, and policy support will be key breakthroughs. It is projected that by 2030, with technological advancements and economies of scale, the global battery recycling rate is expected to rise to over 50%, truly achieving a sustainable resource cycle.