The Global Cobalt Waste Recycling Market was valued at USD 1,608 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3,876 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.7% during the forecast period (2026–2034). This explosive growth is being driven by the global transition to electric vehicles, stringent environmental regulations promoting a circular economy, and the strategic need to secure supply chains for critical battery materials.
As the demand for lithium-ion batteries soars, the spotlight is on the specialized recyclers and vertically integrated resource companies who are closing the loop on critical materials. These companies are transforming waste into a valuable resource, mitigating supply risks and reducing the environmental footprint of modern technology. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Cobalt Waste Recycling Industry—a mix of global leaders, Asian giants, and innovative startups shaping the future of sustainable material supply.
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🔟 1. GEM Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
Key Offering: Comprehensive recycling of end-of-life batteries, production scrap, and cobalt alloy waste.
GEM is a global leader in the circular economy, operating one of the world’s largest networks for recycling nickel, cobalt, and tungsten waste. The company has pioneered a “mining urban mines” model, establishing extensive collection and processing systems for electronic waste and power batteries. Its advanced hydrometallurgical processes recover high-purity cobalt salts that are directly fed back into the supply chain for new lithium-ion battery production.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Building a closed-loop supply chain for EV battery materials
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Strategic partnerships with major automakers and battery producers
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Commitment to reducing carbon emissions by over 70% compared to primary mining
9️⃣ 2. Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. (Huayou Holding Group)
Headquarters: Tongxiang, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Refined cobalt products from both primary and recycled sources.
Huayou Cobalt is one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt chemicals and has strategically integrated recycling into its operations to secure raw material supply. Leveraging its extensive metallurgical expertise, the company processes battery scrap and other cobalt-containing waste to produce battery-grade materials, effectively creating a circular flow for critical metals within its own production ecosystem.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Major investments in battery recycling joint ventures
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Development of full-cycle industrial chains for new energy materials
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Focus on reducing reliance on controversial mining sources through recycling
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Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
8️⃣ 3. CNGR Advanced Material Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Ningxiang, Hunan, China
Key Offering: Nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) precursors and cathode materials from recycled feedstocks.
CNGR Advanced Material is a key global supplier of precursor materials for lithium-ion batteries. The company has aggressively expanded into recycling to ensure a stable and cost-effective supply of nickel and cobalt. Its recycling operations focus on converting battery production scrap and end-of-life batteries back into high-value precursor materials, supporting the automotive industry’s sustainability goals.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Integration of recycling with precursor manufacturing
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Collaboration with EV manufacturers for closed-loop material cycles
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Investment in advanced hydrometallurgical recycling technologies
7️⃣ 4. BRUNP RECYCLING (subsidiary of CATL)
Headquarters: Hunan, China
Key Offering: End-of-life power battery recycling and material regeneration.
BRUNP RECYCLING, a subsidiary of the world’s largest battery manufacturer CATL, is a dominant force in the Chinese recycling market. The company specializes in the comprehensive recycling of retired power batteries, recovering cobalt, lithium, and nickel. Its strategic position within the CATL ecosystem ensures a consistent inflow of battery scrap and a direct pathway for recycled materials to re-enter battery production.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Creation of a nationwide power battery recycling network
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Development of “cradle-to-cradle” battery lifecycle management
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Focus on maximizing recovery rates for critical battery metals
6️⃣ 5. Umicore
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Closed-loop recycling services for rechargeable batteries and production scrap.
Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group with decades of experience in precious and special metals. Its battery recycling operations in Europe use a unique ultra-high temperature (UHT) smelting process followed by hydrometallurgical refining to recover cobalt, nickel, and other valuable metals. Umicore offers a full-loop service, returning high-purity cobalt to battery makers.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Pioneer in EV battery recycling with a dedicated facility in Belgium
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Commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2035
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Partnerships with European automakers for sustainable material sourcing
5️⃣ 6. Redwood Materials
Headquarters: Carson City, Nevada, USA
Key Offering: End-to-end battery recycling and remanufacturing of anode and cathode components.
Redwood Materials is a leading North American battery materials company focused on creating a circular supply chain. Founded by a former Tesla CTO, the company is rapidly scaling its operations to recycle end-of-life batteries and production scrap from partners like Panasonic and Amazon. Its innovative processes aim to produce battery-grade cathode and anode materials domestically.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Goal to produce cathode materials for 1 million EVs annually by 2025
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Focus on localizing the battery supply chain in North America
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Development of low-energy, high-yield recycling technologies
Download FREE Sample Report:
Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
4️⃣ 7. Ganzhou Highpower Technology Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
Key Offering: Recycling of ternary lithium battery materials and cobalt-nickel waste.
Ganzhou Highpower Technology is a significant player in the Chinese battery and recycling sectors. The company operates integrated operations that include battery manufacturing and the recycling of spent batteries. Its recycling division focuses on recovering cobalt and nickel from various waste streams, contributing to the circular economy for battery materials in one of the world’s largest EV markets.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Vertical integration of battery production and recycling
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Expansion of recycling capacity to meet growing EV battery waste
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Development of efficient processes for complex battery chemistries
3️⃣ 8. Miracle Automation Engineering Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Automated battery disassembly and recycling solutions.
Miracle Automation Engineering specializes in intelligent manufacturing and recycling equipment. The company provides advanced automated systems for the safe and efficient disassembly of end-of-life batteries, which is a critical first step in the recycling process. Its technologies enable higher recovery rates and improve the economics of cobalt recycling operations.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Innovation in battery dismantling automation
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Partnerships with recyclers to optimize material recovery
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Focus on enhancing safety and efficiency in battery recycling
2️⃣ 9. Guangdong Guanghua Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Shantou, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: Recycling of cobalt-containing materials and production of cobalt salts.
Guangdong Guanghua Sci-Tech is a manufacturer of fine chemicals with a growing focus on recycling. The company processes cobalt-containing waste to produce various cobalt salts and compounds used in multiple industries, including batteries. Its operations contribute to the circular flow of cobalt within the regional industrial ecosystem.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Expansion into battery material recycling
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Utilization of secondary raw materials in chemical production
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Adoption of greener chemical processes
1️⃣ 10. TES (TES Sustainable Technology Solutions)
Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: IT asset disposition and battery recycling services globally.
TES is a leading global provider of technology lifecycle solutions, specializing in the environmentally sound management of IT assets and batteries. With facilities across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia, TES offers comprehensive services for recycling lithium-ion batteries from consumer electronics and other sources, recovering cobalt and other valuable materials.
Sustainability Initiatives:
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Global network of certified recycling facilities
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Zero-landfill policy for processed materials
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Compliance with international environmental and data security standards
Read Full Report:
Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Outlook: The Future of Cobalt Recycling is Circular and Integrated
The cobalt waste recycling market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. As recycling evolves from a niche activity to a critical component of the global supply chain, the industry is investing billions in advanced recycling technologies, collection infrastructure, and strategic partnerships that create closed-loop systems.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:
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Rapid capacity expansion in Asia, North America, and Europe to process growing volumes of end-of-life batteries
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Regulatory push for extended producer responsibility (EPR) and minimum recycled content mandates
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Vertical integration between battery manufacturers, automakers, and recycling companies
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Technological innovation in direct recycling processes that preserve cathode materials
Read Full Report:
Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies listed above are not only processing waste—they’re building the foundation for a sustainable, circular economy that powers the technologies of tomorrow.
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