Nuper, with the rapid popularity of new energy vehicles, energy storage systems, and smart devices, the demand for lithium batteries has experienced explosive growth. Meanwhile, a large number of retired batteries are entering the recycling process. The decade from 2020 to 2030 will be a key period for lithium battery recycling technology from the beginning to maturity.

What role will recycled materials play in the global supply chain by 2030?

By 2030, the cumulative volume of retired lithium batteries worldwide will exceed 12 million tons, several times the amount in 2020.

Lithium Recycling Share

Lithium Recycling Share

Nickel Recycling Rate

Nickel Recycling Rate

Cobalt Recovery Share

Cobalt Recovery Share

Currently, global lithium resources primarily rely on mining ore and salt lakes, but these sources are concentrated and costly. By 2030, recycled lithium will account for 15%–20% of global supply. YUSHUNXIN’s high-purity sorting and fine grinding equipment can increase the lithium recovery rate in black powder by approximately 10%.

The widespread adoption of high-nickel ternary materials has driven rapid growth in nickel demand. By 2030, recycled nickel will meet 25%–30% of demand. We introduce automatic grading systems into lithium battery recycling solutions, which effectively reduce metal contamination and enhance the purity of nickel and cobalt separation.

Most cobalt deposits occur in a limited number of regions, posing high supply risks. By 2030, recycled cobalt is projected to account for 35%–40% of the battery industry’s demand. YUSHUNXIN hydrometallurgical equipment achieves cobalt recovery rates exceeding 95% through optimal leaching and extraction processes.

How Will Lithium Battery Recycling Technology Evolve from 2020 to 2030?

Lithium battery recycling technology primarily follows three approaches: mechanical recycling, pyrolytic treatment, and hydrometallurgy.

Mechanical Recycling for lithium battery

 

Prior to 2020, mechanical recycling primarily relied on manual dismantling and basic crushing. Traditional manual disassembly is not only inefficient but also carries risks of short circuits and leakage.

Since entering 2020, YUSHUNXIN has launched electronic waste shredder. YUSHUNXIN introduced an intelligent disassembly system that completes automatic shell removal, electrolyte extraction, and graded crushing processes. Electronic waste shredder incorporates a low-temperature crushing system and inert gas protection system to prevent thermal runaway and the volatilization of organic gases.

Pyrolysis Treatment for Batteries

 

Manufacturers began widely adopting pyrolysis technology around 2020 to remove electrolyte and organic binders, but it requires high energy and complex emissions treatment.

tamen, our low-temperature pyrolysis furnace employs an inert gas circulation system that enables efficient decomposition of organic matter below 500°C, with a 30% reduction in energy consumption from traditional equipment. More importantly, this lithium battery recycling technology is equipped with exhaust gas purification and recovery modules, which provides assurance for enterprises to reduce carbon emissions and environmental risks.

Hydrometallurgy for waste lithium battery recycling

 

Hydrometallurgy represents the most efficient technological approach for metal recovery, and the key lies in precisely controlling the leaching, separatio, and purification processes.

YUSHUNXIN hydrometallurgical equipment employs a multi-stage reactor design. Insuper, it combines acid addition with temperature control systems to automatically adjust leaching parameters according to different battery materials. Through selective extraction and electrowinning technologies, the recovery rates for lithium, nickel, and cobalt can reach over 95%, 98%, et 96%, respectively.

Can different types of batteries have the same recycling process?

There are numerous types of lithium batteries, such as ternary (NCM/NCA), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium manganese oxide, and lithium titanate. Different battery systems have distinct requirements for recycling processes.

Ternary batteries contain a higher proportion of nickel, cobalt, et manganese, which have the highest recycling value. Lithium recycling plant commonly apply a mechanical–pyrolysis–hydrometallurgical process to efficiently extract nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium salts. It can also automatically adjust the wet leaching formula based on the proportions of ternary materials, realizing efficient separation and purification.

Due to the absence of precious metals like cobalt and nickel, their metal value is relatively low. tamen, given their vast quantities, recycling is significant for material reuse. The EV altilium redivivus project solutiones enable efficient separation, which allows the direct reprocessing of cathode powder and conductive agents into raw materials for iron phosphate. The equipment features a simple structure and low energy consumption, which is suitable for the large-scale processing of retired LFP batteries.

These batteries feature stable structures but lower metal value, and traditional hydrometallurgical recycling processes have long investment payback periods. For this category of batteries, we offer a pyrolysis-sorting recycling solution. By optimizing the pyrolysis atmosphere and powder classification, we can efficiently extract manganese salts or titanium-based materials for use in the chemical or ceramics industries.

different types of batteries

In the 2025 time point, the lithium battery recycling technology is transitioning from its exploratory phase to a critical stage of intelligent development. The accumulated experience over the past five years has gradually clarified the technological approach. Accordingly, the synergistic application of mechanical recycling, pyrolysis treatment, and hydrometallurgy has become a trend in development. As a professional manufacturer of lithium battery recycling equipment, we can also provide you with other lithium battery recycling solutions. Such as green recycling solutions for end-of-Life EV batteries et lithium battery disposal in France. Welcome to contact us!

CATALOGUS-ENGINEERING BASIS varius

Technology and interface planning

Compare pretreatment, conditioning and separation architectures using current material evidence, not universal performance claims.

01

Ineuntes materiales

Battery evolution, chemistry share, cell-to-pack architecture and receiver requirements.

02

expectata outputs

Route-specific fractions and evidence plan.

03

Project interfaces

Safety case, process control, emissions, residue, utilities and downstream qualification.

EXEMPLUM ET RATIO LIBELLUS

Tantum ordo priorum processus delectis terminus.

Catalogue referencecapacitasPotestasInvolucrum corporisincluditur terminus
YSX public familyPublic equipment family500–1,000 kg/h102–238 kW20–35 m line; 7.5–19.5 tStandard equipment-family envelope; no per-model allocation
YSX-LR500LR complete line500 kg/h*320 kW40 × 15 × 7.5 mConditioning, separation and gas-treatment line
YSX-LR1000LR complete line1,000 kg/h*410 kW45 × 17 × 7.5 mConditioning, separation and gas-treatment line
Project reference - 500Earlier integrated layout500 kg/h*300 kW60 × 7 × 7 mEarlier layout without a published model label
Project reference - 1000Earlier integrated layout1,000 kg/h*349 kW80 × 7 × 7 mEarlier layout without a published model label

Configurationis regula: catalogue facultatem est a consilio referat. Firmum throughput, installed / operating potentia, vestigium, recuperatio, pudicitia, emissiones et utilitates postulant probatum apparatum requirere album, Repraesentativum materia et scripta acceptatio conditionibus.

Informatio requiritur antequam configuration et quotation

  1. Repraesentativas materias imagines, specif.
  2. Requiritur facultatem plus horis per subcinctus, vices per diem et operating diebus.
  3. scopum outputs, sampling modum et amni accipientis iudicium.
  4. Site patriae, praesto potestatem, fuel, aqua, compressi aeris et aedificationem fines.
  5. Locus environmental, ignis, adipiscing ac occupationai-tutus requisita.
  6. Postulavit terminus partus: armorum, layout, institutionem, committendo et instituendo.