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Battery Recycling Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

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.

USD 27.8 bnMarket size 2026
USD 94.2 bnForecast 2036
13.0%CAGR 2026-2036
ChinaLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

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.

ScopeCollection 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.
IndustryChemicals and Materials
Value 2025USD 25.0 bn
Value 2026USD 27.8 bn
Value 2036USD 94.2 bn
CAGR 2026-203613.0%
Volume 202612,701 thousand tonnes
Volume 203641,018 thousand tonnes
Average price 2026USD 2,185 per tonne
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Battery Recycling market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global battery recycling market is forecast to grow from USD 27.8 bn in 2026 to USD 94.2 bn by 2036, more than triplingGlobal market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 13.0%
Battery Recycling market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 25.0 bn; 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. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 13.0%.202527.8 bn202651.1 bn203194.2 bn203613.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 27.8 bn
2027USD 31.4 bn
2028USD 35.4 bn
2029USD 40.0 bn
2030USD 45.2 bn
2031USD 51.1 bn
2032USD 57.8 bn
2033USD 65.3 bn
2034USD 73.8 bn
2035USD 83.4 bn
2036USD 94.2 bn

Battery Recycling market segmentation

By battery type

Exhibit 2Lead-acid is the largest segment by battery type, with 62.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by battery type
Battery Recycling market share by battery type, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by battery type. Lead-acid: 62.0%; Lithium-ion: 36.0%; Other chemistries: 2.0%.Lead-acid62.0%Lithium-ion36.0%Other chemistries2.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Lead-acid62.0%21.6%USD 17.2 bn1.7%
Lithium-ion36.0%77.6%USD 10.0 bn22.0%
Other chemistries2.0%0.8%USD 555 mn2.7%

By recovered material

Exhibit 3Nickel, cobalt and manganese adds the most revenue by recovered material, growing from USD 5.0 bn in 2026 to USD 33.5 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by recovered material, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Battery Recycling market by recovered material, 2026 and 2036Revenue by recovered material in 2026 and 2036. Nickel, cobalt and manganese: USD 5.0 bn in 2026, USD 33.5 bn in 2036, change +571%; Lithium: USD 1.9 bn in 2026, USD 20.9 bn in 2036, change +977%; Lead: USD 16.1 bn in 2026, USD 20.5 bn in 2036, change +27%; Copper and other: USD 4.7 bn in 2026, USD 19.3 bn in 2036, change +309%.20262036 forecastChangeNickel, cobalt and manganese+571%5.0 bn33.5 bnLithium+977%1.9 bn20.9 bnLead+27%16.1 bn20.5 bnCopper and other+309%4.7 bn19.3 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Lead58.0%21.7%USD 16.1 bn2.4%
Nickel, cobalt and manganese18.0%35.6%USD 5.0 bn21.0%
Lithium7.0%22.2%USD 1.9 bn26.8%
Copper and other17.0%20.5%USD 4.7 bn15.1%

By recycling process

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Hydrometallurgical44.0%50.0%USD 12.2 bn14.4%
Pyrometallurgical38.0%30.0%USD 10.5 bn10.4%
Direct and mechanical18.0%20.0%USD 5.0 bn14.2%

By scrap source

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
EV traction batteries29.0%44.0%USD 8.0 bn17.8%
Consumer electronics22.0%17.0%USD 6.1 bn10.1%
Industrial and energy storage14.0%20.0%USD 3.9 bn17.1%
Automotive starter batteries35.0%19.0%USD 9.7 bn6.3%

By business model

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Toll recycling31.0%30.0%USD 8.6 bn12.6%
Own-account material sales46.0%45.0%USD 12.8 bn12.8%
OEM take-back programmes23.0%25.0%USD 6.4 bn13.9%

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%.

Exhibit 4China is the largest country market at USD 9.7 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 58.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Battery Recycling market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. China: USD 9.7 bn, 35.0%; United States: USD 5.0 bn, 18.0%; India: USD 1.4 bn, 5.0%; Germany: USD 1.4 bn, 5.0%; South Korea: USD 1.2 bn, 4.5%; Japan: USD 832 mn, 3.0%; United Kingdom: USD 832 mn, 3.0%; France: USD 832 mn, 3.0%; Canada: USD 555 mn, 2.0%; Belgium: USD 555 mn, 2.0%.China9.7 bn 35.0%United States5.0 bn 18.0%India1.4 bn 5.0%Germany1.4 bn 5.0%South Korea1.2 bn 4.5%Japan832 mn 3.0%United Kingdom832 mn 3.0%France832 mn 3.0%Canada555 mn 2.0%Belgium555 mn 2.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1ChinaUSD 9.7 bn35.0%USD 38.2 bn14.7%
2United StatesUSD 5.0 bn18.0%USD 13.8 bn10.7%
3IndiaUSD 1.4 bn5.0%USD 5.0 bn13.7%
4GermanyUSD 1.4 bn5.0%USD 4.2 bn11.8%
5South KoreaUSD 1.2 bn4.5%USD 4.9 bn14.7%
6JapanUSD 832 mn3.0%USD 1.9 bn8.5%
7United KingdomUSD 832 mn3.0%USD 2.3 bn10.5%
8FranceUSD 832 mn3.0%USD 2.5 bn11.8%
9CanadaUSD 555 mn2.0%USD 1.7 bn11.8%
10BelgiumUSD 555 mn2.0%USD 1.7 bn11.8%
11ItalyUSD 388 mn1.4%USD 1.2 bn12.2%
12SpainUSD 314 mn1.1%USD 989 mn12.2%
13NetherlandsUSD 291 mn1.1%USD 914 mn12.1%
14PolandUSD 291 mn1.1%USD 980 mn12.9%
15MexicoUSD 291 mn1.1%USD 980 mn12.9%
16AustraliaUSD 266 mn1.0%USD 895 mn12.9%
17TaiwanUSD 266 mn1.0%USD 838 mn12.2%
18BrazilUSD 266 mn1.0%USD 895 mn12.9%
19SwedenUSD 241 mn0.9%USD 820 mn13.0%
20TurkeyUSD 241 mn0.9%USD 820 mn13.0%
21ThailandUSD 241 mn0.9%USD 820 mn13.0%
22IndonesiaUSD 241 mn0.9%USD 867 mn13.6%
23NorwayUSD 194 mn0.7%USD 650 mn12.8%
24AustriaUSD 194 mn0.7%USD 612 mn12.2%
25FinlandUSD 169 mn0.6%USD 575 mn13.0%
Rest of worldUSD 1.5 bn5.5%USD 5.0 bn12.8%
Exhibit 5China and United States account for 56% of the USD 66.4 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Battery Recycling market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 27.8 bn. China: +USD 28.5 bn; United States: +USD 8.9 bn; South Korea: +USD 3.6 bn; India: +USD 3.6 bn; Germany: +USD 2.9 bn; 20 other countries: +USD 15.4 bn; Rest of world: +USD 3.5 bn. Market value 2036: USD 94.2 bn.Market value 202627.8 bnChina+28.5 bnUnited States+8.9 bnSouth Korea+3.6 bnIndia+3.6 bnGermany+2.9 bn20 other countries+15.4 bnRest of world+3.5 bnMarket value 203694.2 bn

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.

Read the full research methodology

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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