Market overview
The global battery recycling market is worth USD 27.8 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 94.2 bn by 2036, growing at a 13.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Lead-acid is the largest by battery type segment.
| Scope | Collection and processing of used lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries to recover lead, nickel, cobalt, lithium and copper, measured by processing revenue and recovered material value. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 25.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 27.8 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 94.2 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 13.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 12,701 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 41,018 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 2,185 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Battery Recycling market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 27.8 bn |
| 2027 | USD 31.4 bn |
| 2028 | USD 35.4 bn |
| 2029 | USD 40.0 bn |
| 2030 | USD 45.2 bn |
| 2031 | USD 51.1 bn |
| 2032 | USD 57.8 bn |
| 2033 | USD 65.3 bn |
| 2034 | USD 73.8 bn |
| 2035 | USD 83.4 bn |
| 2036 | USD 94.2 bn |
Battery Recycling market segmentation
By battery type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead-acid | 62.0% | 21.6% | USD 17.2 bn | 1.7% |
| Lithium-ion | 36.0% | 77.6% | USD 10.0 bn | 22.0% |
| Other chemistries | 2.0% | 0.8% | USD 555 mn | 2.7% |
By recovered material
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 58.0% | 21.7% | USD 16.1 bn | 2.4% |
| Nickel, cobalt and manganese | 18.0% | 35.6% | USD 5.0 bn | 21.0% |
| Lithium | 7.0% | 22.2% | USD 1.9 bn | 26.8% |
| Copper and other | 17.0% | 20.5% | USD 4.7 bn | 15.1% |
By recycling process
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrometallurgical | 44.0% | 50.0% | USD 12.2 bn | 14.4% |
| Pyrometallurgical | 38.0% | 30.0% | USD 10.5 bn | 10.4% |
| Direct and mechanical | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 14.2% |
By scrap source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV traction batteries | 29.0% | 44.0% | USD 8.0 bn | 17.8% |
| Consumer electronics | 22.0% | 17.0% | USD 6.1 bn | 10.1% |
| Industrial and energy storage | 14.0% | 20.0% | USD 3.9 bn | 17.1% |
| Automotive starter batteries | 35.0% | 19.0% | USD 9.7 bn | 6.3% |
By business model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toll recycling | 31.0% | 30.0% | USD 8.6 bn | 12.6% |
| Own-account material sales | 46.0% | 45.0% | USD 12.8 bn | 12.8% |
| OEM take-back programmes | 23.0% | 25.0% | USD 6.4 bn | 13.9% |
Top 25 countries for battery recycling by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 80.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 9.7 bn | 35.0% | USD 38.2 bn | 14.7% |
| 2 | United States | USD 5.0 bn | 18.0% | USD 13.8 bn | 10.7% |
| 3 | India | USD 1.4 bn | 5.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 13.7% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 1.4 bn | 5.0% | USD 4.2 bn | 11.8% |
| 5 | South Korea | USD 1.2 bn | 4.5% | USD 4.9 bn | 14.7% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 832 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 8.5% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | USD 832 mn | 3.0% | USD 2.3 bn | 10.5% |
| 8 | France | USD 832 mn | 3.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 11.8% |
| 9 | Canada | USD 555 mn | 2.0% | USD 1.7 bn | 11.8% |
| 10 | Belgium | USD 555 mn | 2.0% | USD 1.7 bn | 11.8% |
| 11 | Italy | USD 388 mn | 1.4% | USD 1.2 bn | 12.2% |
| 12 | Spain | USD 314 mn | 1.1% | USD 989 mn | 12.2% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 291 mn | 1.1% | USD 914 mn | 12.1% |
| 14 | Poland | USD 291 mn | 1.1% | USD 980 mn | 12.9% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 291 mn | 1.1% | USD 980 mn | 12.9% |
| 16 | Australia | USD 266 mn | 1.0% | USD 895 mn | 12.9% |
| 17 | Taiwan | USD 266 mn | 1.0% | USD 838 mn | 12.2% |
| 18 | Brazil | USD 266 mn | 1.0% | USD 895 mn | 12.9% |
| 19 | Sweden | USD 241 mn | 0.9% | USD 820 mn | 13.0% |
| 20 | Turkey | USD 241 mn | 0.9% | USD 820 mn | 13.0% |
| 21 | Thailand | USD 241 mn | 0.9% | USD 820 mn | 13.0% |
| 22 | Indonesia | USD 241 mn | 0.9% | USD 867 mn | 13.6% |
| 23 | Norway | USD 194 mn | 0.7% | USD 650 mn | 12.8% |
| 24 | Austria | USD 194 mn | 0.7% | USD 612 mn | 12.2% |
| 25 | Finland | USD 169 mn | 0.6% | USD 575 mn | 13.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 1.5 bn | 5.5% | USD 5.0 bn | 12.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Umicore
- Glencore
- Brunp Recycling
- GEM Co. Ltd.
- Redwood Materials
- Ecobat
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Gravita India
- Fortum
- SungEel HiTech
- Cirba Solutions
- Exide Technologies
- Accurec Recycling
- American Battery Technology Company
- Hydrovolt
- Stena Recycling
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Ascend Elements
- Altilium
- Duesenfeld
- Cylib
- Aqua Metals
- RecycLiCo Battery Materials
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the battery recycling market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 13.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by battery type, by recovered material, by recycling process, by scrap source, by business model. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the battery recycling market?
The global battery recycling market is estimated at USD 25.0 bn in 2025 and USD 27.8 bn in 2026.
How fast will the battery recycling market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 94.2 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 13.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 66.4 bn.
Which country is the largest market for battery recycling?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 9.7 bn in 2026, 35.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 58.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 14.7% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which battery recycling segment is largest?
In the by battery type split, Lead-acid is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading battery recycling companies?
Global leaders include Umicore, Glencore, Brunp Recycling, GEM Co. Ltd..
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