Lithium battery recycling has become a fundamental component of the energy transition and technological sustainability globally. Increasingly, companies, governments, and research centers are working to close the life cycle of these devices , increase the recovery of strategic materials, and minimize their environmental impact.
In recent years, the growing demand for critical battery materials—such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—has led to the creation of projects, international partnerships, and new regulations that seek to manage waste more efficiently and promote a circular economy in the sector.
Chile promotes recycling
Chile has taken significant steps forward with the implementation of initiatives like the Circular Route , a collaboration between Entel and Midas Chile. The goal is to make electronic recycling—including lithium batteries— more accessible to the public, especially in regions where the infrastructure was previously insufficient. In the latest campaign, hundreds of discarded devices were collected in various locations in the north and central parts of the country, exceeding 1.600 units when including those delivered to designated collection points.
A key factor is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law , which requires manufacturers and importers of priority products—including batteries—to finance the collection and recovery of the waste they generate. The Chilean model thus seeks to consolidate the circular economy and reduce the impact of waste, increasing the recovery of materials essential for the energy transition.
New companies and technologies in Spain
In northern Spain, companies like Kudebatt have emerged with a focus on maximizing the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and minimizing their environmental footprint. Kudebatt collects, analyzes, and determines whether a battery can be reused for energy storage or if it should be recycled to recover materials. It also advises companies on safe handling and storage , aiming to make the end-of-life of batteries safer and more sustainable.
Kudebatt's project is scalable to different regions and collaborates closely with research centers like CIDETEC , developing disruptive technologies for the comprehensive recycling of all components. The medium-term challenge is to become a national benchmark and lead the efficient recovery of materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel within a sustainable and local value chain.
International projects and advanced technology
The internationalization of the circular economy in lithium batteries is evident in the entry of giants like Hainan Trailblazer New Materials . This Chinese company, now active in Latin America following strategic agreements, addresses everything from research and development of new materials to the recycling and reuse of used electric batteries, seeking to create complete value chains that include marketing, services, and rare earth metallurgy.
Investor and technological interest is also reflected in the emergence of new facilities in countries like the United States. In Oklahoma, for example, lithium-ion battery recycling and processing plants have opened, alongside public initiatives to attract investment in energy infrastructure. These plants recover key materials such as copper and nickel and offer a local response to the growing dependence on imports and to demand.
Circular economy and critical raw materials in Europe
The European Union is setting a clear course with objectives such as obtaining up to 25% of its critical raw material consumption through recycling by 2030. EU legislation and the introduction of specialized technologies allow for the recovery of valuable materials from used batteries, although the challenge remains to increase collection volumes and address the fact that much electronic waste remains stored in homes.
One of the central messages is that consumer action is key: delivering old batteries to official collection points helps keep these resources in the economic cycle and supports the circular economy, vital to reducing the extraction of new materials and the environmental impact of the technology industry.
Innovation and alliances: global examples
International companies like Redwood Materials have made significant progress in recovering up to 95% of the critical metals found in batteries and implementing closed-loop recycling systems . This approach not only reduces energy and water consumption compared to traditional mining but also minimizes carbon emissions . In addition to partnering with major electric vehicle manufacturers—such as Toyota, BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen—these companies are focused on optimizing the supply chain and reducing their reliance on imported raw materials.
The commitment to hydrometallurgical technologies and the expansion of recycling capacity go hand in hand with public-private partnerships and the search for funding to scale up these solutions and make them viable on a large scale.
Biotechnology research and new approaches
Innovation is even reaching fields like urban biomining , where science is exploring the use of microorganisms to recover metals from used batteries. Interdisciplinary seminars and projects in Chile are studying the biotechnological and ecological potential of salt flats, seeking disruptive recycling strategies and focusing on the link between biodiversity and sustainable technology.
The role of regulation and social awareness
The success of lithium battery recycling depends largely on the development and implementation of appropriate regulations and public awareness . The responsibility of manufacturers and importers, along with the presence of adequate infrastructure and collaboration between the public and private sectors, form the necessary framework for efficient and safe recycling. Furthermore, both in Europe and the Americas, the importance of depositing used devices at official collection points and avoiding improper disposal is emphasized, given the risks that some defective batteries pose to safety and the environment.
Lithium battery recycling is currently experiencing a phase of growth and professionalization, driven by technological innovation , regulatory development , international partnerships , and responsible action from both companies and consumers. These factors are laying the foundation for a key industry in the transition to more sustainable energy and production models, aiming to maximize the use of available resources and reduce the risks associated with the disposal of highly polluting components.