Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TIANJIN, June 5 (Xinhua) — In the industrial city of Tianjin, north China, employees of startup Tianjin Battery Technology are refurbishing failed electric vehicle batteries with a combination of skilled technicians and automated systems.
The development illustrates the huge business opportunity opening up in China as authorities in the world’s largest electric vehicle market aim to turn waste batteries from a pollution problem into a key asset in its “green revolution.”
A startup at the forefront of the country’s sustainable development economy is targeting this rapidly growing sector.
This market segment is poised for significant growth as China continues to lead the world in the production and sale of new energy vehicles. In addition, the growing number of end-of-life batteries is increasing demand for green solutions.
By the end of 2024, there were 31.4 million new electric vehicles in the country, or about 9 percent of the country’s total car fleet. Following the government-initiated trade-in campaign, consumer interest in upgrading their cars has increased dramatically, which in turn has further expanded the recycling market.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has required passenger car manufacturers to provide an eight-year or 120,000-km warranty on key components such as batteries since 2016.
Market forecasts indicate that the volume of discarded batteries in China will reach 1.04 million tons in 2025, and this figure could rise to 3.5 million tons by 2030.
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
Ma Yuwei, 40, works as a production materials control manager in the engineering equipment department at Tianjin Battery Technology. He supervises the dismantling of battery packs and modules. In his opinion, these seemingly “disused” batteries are a treasure trove.
The firm reuses some of the dismantled components to repair used cars. Crushing the batteries produces copper and aluminum, and the black powder is processed into lithium carbonate suitable for use in batteries.
“In our words, we need to squeeze every last drop of juice out of failed batteries,” he notes.
With nearly 20 years of experience and the significant growth potential in the digital electronics and battery manufacturing industries, he accepted the offer to take on this position three years ago.
Tianjin Battery Technology’s battery processing capacity has reached 10,000 tons per year, achieving a lithium recovery rate of over 90 percent.
“China relies heavily on imported lithium, cobalt and nickel,” said Ke Yanchun of newly established state-owned China Resources Recycling Group Co., Ltd.
“The recycling of used batteries effectively reduces the country’s high dependence on imported resources in the production of vehicles using new energy sources,” he emphasized.
TECHNOLOGICAL ORIENTATION
China’s battery recycling sector suffers from small, unregulated workshops. Industry leaders are using technological innovation to improve efficiency and restructure the production chain.
China’s major EV battery maker GEM, which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, uses a flexible, intelligent dismantling system for precise detection and sorting. Its recycling innovations include high- and low-temperature catalytic activation and ultra-precise lithium extraction, achieving lithium recovery rates of over 90 percent.
The company has also developed a digital lifecycle management system for batteries to track them from recycling to disposal, supporting its dual-track business model.
The company has built a circular economy industrial park in the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, which is just 1 km from the production lines of BYD, the country’s leading electric vehicle maker.
GEM currently operates more than 140 battery recycling stations across the country and cooperates with more than 750 vehicle and battery manufacturers and operators worldwide. In the first quarter of this year, the company recycled 10,800 tons of batteries, up 37 percent year-on-year.
At Tianjin Battery Technology, Ma Yuwei and his colleagues have improved battery dismantling efficiency by 75 percent using modified tools. Using techniques such as cutting and welding, they have transformed standard tools to meet the complex requirements of battery dismantling.
“This simple innovation had a significant impact,” the manager noted.
EXPANSION ABROAD
As China’s share of the global EV market continues to grow, battery recycling companies are also expanding their international presence to comply with local environmental regulations.
CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, plans to establish a battery recycling facility in Europe, with the renovation of its Hungarian plant scheduled for completion in 2026. The initiative is part of the company’s efforts to address environmental issues in battery production and recycling.
GEM has established 7 battery recycling centers, including in the Republic of Korea and Indonesia.
Gotion High-tech in Hefei, capital of Anhui Province, east China, and Envision Greenwise in Hong Kong have signed a strategic cooperation agreement and plan to jointly build 100 battery recycling and after-sales service centers around the world.
In addition, Jiaxing-based Huayou Recycling, located in east China’s Zhejiang Province, has entered into a strategic partnership with SUEZ Group, one of Europe’s largest environmental services corporations, to explore the French battery recycling market. -0-