Top 10: Leaders in EV Circular Economy

In the evolving landscape of EV technology, the EV battery circular economy emerges as a transformative approach to sustainable resource management. Industry experts recognise the comprehensive system as a critical strategy for addressing environmental challenges and economic opportunities within the automotive sector.
The circular economy for EV batteries represents a holistic methodology that prioritises resource conservation, environmental protection and technological innovation. By implementing advanced recycling processes, manufacturers can recover up to 95% of valuable metals like lithium, cobalt and nickel, dramatically reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional raw material extraction.
Economic and strategic benefits are equally compelling. The recovery and reuse of battery materials strengthen domestic supply chains, potentially lowering production costs and dependence on international raw material sources. Technological advancements in battery design and recycling techniques continue to drive the circular economy forward, aligning with increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks in regions like the European Union.
As EV adoption accelerates, the battery circular economy is a pivotal mechanism for ensuring sustainable transportation. By transforming waste into valuable resources, the approach mitigates environmental risks and creates new economic opportunities within the rapidly evolving electric mobility ecosystem.
This week, EV Magazine explores the companies driving the EV battery circular economy in no particular order.
10 | SNAM Groupe
Chief Strategy & Technology Officer: Claudio Farina
Employees: 150
Founded: 1941
French company SNAM Groupe is a key player in the circular economy for EV batteries, focusing on recycling and materials recovery. With more than 150 employees across two French sites, SNAM partners with automakers like Honda, Toyota and BMW to collect and recycle end-of-life batteries.
It explores second-life applications and employs advanced hydrometallurgy techniques to recover valuable materials like lithium and cobalt. Through innovation, including its "Phoenix" project, SNAM supports sustainability by reducing waste and promoting a closed-loop battery lifecycle.
9 | Ecobat Solutions
CEO: Tom Slabe
Employees: 2,700
Founded: 1938
Ecobat, a global leader in battery recycling, plays a pivotal role in the circular economy of EV batteries. Expanding beyond its expertise in lead recycling, it now focuses on lithium-ion battery recovery. Operating advanced recycling facilities in the US and Europe, Ecobat transforms end-of-life batteries into reusable materials, ensuring the EV supply chain circularity.
Through strategic partnerships with automakers like Volkswagen and an extensive collection network, Ecobat reduces waste, maximises material recovery and supports the sustainable transition to electric mobility.
8 | Cirba Solutions
CEO: David Klanecky
Employees: 300
Founded:1991
Cirba Solutions is a key player in the EV battery circular economy, offering comprehensive recycling and materials recovery services. Formed in 2022 through a merger of industry leaders, it leverages more than 30 years of expertise to manage lithium-ion and other battery chemistries.
With seven facilities across North America and expansion plans, Cirba Solutions extracts critical materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel, reintegrating them into the supply chain. Through strategic partnerships and government support, it drives sustainability, reduces reliance on mining and strengthens the EV ecosystem.
7 | Ascend Elements
CTO: Eric Gratz
Employees: 170
Founded: 2015
Ascend Elements transforms the EV battery circular economy with advanced recycling and sustainable material production. Founded in 2015, it employs its patented Hydro-to-Cathode technology to transform spent lithium-ion cells into high-performance cathode materials, reducing costs and emissions.
With large-scale facilities in the US and Europe, strategic partnerships and innovative lithium recovery solutions, Ascend Elements is closing the loop on battery materials. Reintroducing critical resources into the supply chain strengthens EV sustainability and reduces dependence on newly mined materials.
6 | American Battery Technology Company (ABTC)
CEO & CTO: Ryan Melsert
Employees: 98
Founded: 2011
American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) is a leader in the EV battery circular economy, specialising in lithium-ion battery recycling and sustainable material production. With headquarters in Reno, Nevada, ABTC employs advanced recycling technologies to recover critical metals like lithium, cobalt and nickel from end-of-life batteries.
With large-scale facilities, federal funding for expansion and strategic partnerships, ABTC is strengthening North America's battery supply chain. Integrating recycling with primary metal extraction promotes sustainability, reduces waste and ensures a closed-loop system for essential battery materials.
5 | SK tes
Chief Commercial Officer: Eric Ingebretsen
Employees: 165
Founded: 2005
SK tes, formerly TES-AMM, is a global leader in sustainable technology lifecycle services, specialising in EV battery recycling and material recovery. Operating in 23 countries, it employs advanced recycling technologies to achieve a 90% recovery rate for critical materials like lithium and cobalt.
With expanding facilities in China, the Netherlands and beyond, SK tes is strengthening the circular economy by repurposing end-of-life batteries into new products. Through strategic partnerships and innovation, it is reducing environmental impact and supporting the sustainable growth of electric mobility.
4 | Glencore International AG
Global Head of Recycling: Kunal Sinha
Employees: +140,000 throughout the entire Glencore group
Founded: 1974
Glencore is a key player in the EV circular economy, leveraging its global recycling infrastructure to recover critical battery materials. It extracts lithium, nickel and cobalt from end-of-life batteries using advanced hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes. Strategic partnerships, including a US$75m investment in Li-Cycle, enhance its recycling capabilities.
Its European recycling hub in Italy aims to create a closed-loop system for battery materials, reducing reliance on mining. Through innovation and collaboration, Glencore supports sustainable electric mobility and strengthens the circular economy for EV batteries.
3 | Umicore NV
CTO: Geert Olbrechts.
Employees: 11,152
Founded: 1989
Umicore is a leader in the EV circular economy, utilising its proprietary "pyro-hydro" recycling process to recover more than 95% of key battery metals. It operates a 7,000-tonne battery recycling plant and plans a 150,000-tonne facility in Europe by 2026. Its closed-loop approach reintroduces recovered materials into new battery production, reducing reliance on virgin mining.
With cost-efficient and safe dismantling methods, Umicore advances sustainable battery recycling, minimising environmental impact while supporting the growth of electric mobility and a circular economy for EV batteries.
2 | Li-Cycle Corporation
CTO: Chris Biederman
Employees: 384
Founded: 2016
Li-Cycle Corporation is a key player in the EV circular economy. It uses its patented "Spoke and Hub" model to recover up to 95% of lithium-ion battery materials with 70% lower carbon emissions than traditional methods. With recycling facilities across North America and Europe, Li-Cycle is rapidly expanding its capacity, targeting 81,000 tonnes of annual processing by 2025.
Its advanced technology eliminates the need for discharging or dismantling batteries. Through strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Glencore, Li-Cycle is building a sustainable, closed-loop battery supply chain.
1 | Redwood Materials
CTO: Colin Campbell
Employees:1,600
Founded: 2017
Redwood Materials is a key player in the EV circular economy, utilising advanced recycling technology to reclaim more than 80% of lithium and 95% of nickel, cobalt and other critical materials. Handling more than 20 GWh of batteries annually, it supports a closed-loop supply chain by refining materials for reuse in new battery production.
With global expansion, strategic partnerships and a US$2bn US Department of Energy loan, Redwood estimates it will supply battery materials for 1 million EVs in 2025, reinforcing sustainability in electric mobility.
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