Top 10 Companies in the Cobalt Waste Recycling Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering the Circular Economy

In Business Insights
February 25, 2026


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 robust growth is primarily driven by the global electric vehicle (EV) revolution, stringent environmental regulations promoting a circular economy, and significant technological advancements in recycling processes like hydrometallurgy.

As the world pivots towards sustainable supply chains for critical battery materials, the spotlight is on the key recyclers who are transforming waste into valuable resources. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Cobalt Waste Recycling Industry—a dynamic mix of integrated resource giants, specialized technology pioneers, and emerging leaders shaping the future of urban mining.


🔟 1. GEM Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: Full-spectrum battery material recycling, Battery-Grade Cobalt Salts

GEM is a global leader in the circular economy, operating one of the world’s largest and most advanced urban mining systems. The company specializes in recycling end-of-life power batteries, electronic waste, and cobalt alloy scrap. Its core strength lies in its vertically integrated model, transforming waste directly into high-purity precursors for new lithium-ion battery cathodes.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering the “from waste to resource” model for EV batteries in China.

  • Strategic partnerships with major automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers for closed-loop recycling.

  • Committed to powering the green transition by securing sustainable supplies of critical raw materials.

Download FREE Sample Report: Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. (Huayou Holding Group)

Headquarters: Tongxiang, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Primary and Recycled Cobalt Products, Cathode Precursors

Huayou Cobalt, one of the world’s largest cobalt producers, has strategically integrated recycling into its operations to future-proof its supply chain. Leveraging its deep metallurgical expertise, the company processes significant volumes of battery production scrap and end-of-life materials, complementing its primary mining activities.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Massive investment in building and scaling hydrometallurgical recycling facilities.

  • Focus on creating a resilient, multi-sourced supply chain for cobalt and nickel.


8️⃣ 3. Umicore

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Closed-Loop Battery Recycling Services, High-Purity Cobalt Solutions

Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group with a long-standing reputation for sustainable innovation. Its battery recycling business utilizes a unique combination of pyro- and hydrometallurgical technologies to recover cobalt, nickel, and lithium from lithium-ion batteries at high purity levels suitable for new battery production.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Operates one of the world’s most advanced and largest battery recycling plants in Europe.

  • Strong commitment to a circular economy with ambitious sustainability targets for 2030.


7️⃣ 4. CNGR Advanced Material Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Changsha, Hunan, China
Key Offering: Nickel & Cobalt Precursors, Recycled Battery Materials

CNGR Advanced Material is a leading global supplier of precursors for lithium-ion battery cathodes. The company has aggressively expanded into recycling to secure a stable and cost-effective supply of raw materials, integrating recycled content back into its high-performance precursor products.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Strategic expansion into recycling to mitigate supply chain risks and reduce environmental footprint.

  • Focus on advanced hydrometallurgical processes to achieve battery-grade quality from recycled feedstock.

Download FREE Sample Report: Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. BRUNP RECYCLING (A subsidiary of CATL)

Headquarters: Ningde, Fujian, China
Key Offering: End-of-Life EV Battery Recycling, Cobalt and Nickel Recovery

BRUNP RECYCLING, backed by the world’s largest battery manufacturer CATL, is a powerhouse in the recycling sector. It benefits from a direct and massive stream of production scrap and end-of-life batteries from CATL’s operations, enabling large-scale, efficient recycling and the creation of a true closed-loop system.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integrated with CATL’s global battery production network for seamless material recovery.

  • Investing heavily in R&D to improve recovery rates and process efficiency.


5️⃣ 6. Redwood Materials

Headquarters: Carson City, Nevada, USA
Key Offering: End-to-End Battery Recycling, Anode and Cathode Materials

Redwood Materials is a fast-growing North American leader focused on creating a domestic, circular supply chain for battery materials. Founded by a Tesla co-founder, the company recycles batteries and production scrap to produce critical components like cathode active materials and anode foils for new batteries.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Aims to scale production of cathode materials with significant recycled content by 2025.

  • Strategic partnerships with major automakers and battery cell producers in the US.


4️⃣ 7. Ganzhou Highpower Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
Key Offering: Lithium-ion Battery Recycling, Cobalt and Lithium Compounds

Ganzhou Highpower Technology is a significant player in the Chinese battery and recycling landscape. The company specializes in the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries, recovering valuable metals like cobalt and lithium through advanced processes and supplying them back to the battery manufacturing industry.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on building a comprehensive recycling network within China’s key battery production hubs.

  • Continuous improvement of metal recovery efficiency and product purity.


3️⃣ 8. Miracle Automation Engineering Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Automated Battery Dismantling Systems, Recycling Solutions

Miracle Automation Engineering plays a critical role in the recycling value chain by providing specialized automation equipment and integrated solutions for the safe and efficient dismantling of end-of-life batteries. This technology is essential for preparing battery waste for downstream metallurgical recovery processes.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of intelligent, automated lines that enhance safety and efficiency in battery pre-processing.

  • Collaboration with recyclers to optimize the entire recycling workflow.


2️⃣ 9. Guangdong Guanghua Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shantou, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: Cobalt-based Chemicals, Recycled Cobalt Products

Guangdong Guanghua Sci-Tech is a manufacturer of cobalt-based fine chemicals. The company has ventured into recycling to diversify its cobalt sourcing and contribute to sustainable production practices, processing cobalt-containing waste streams into valuable chemical products.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integration of recycled cobalt into its chemical product portfolio.

  • Focus on maintaining high quality standards for recycled materials used in demanding applications.


1️⃣ 10. TES

Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), Battery and E-Waste Recycling

TES is a leading global provider of sustainable technology lifecycle solutions. With facilities worldwide, the company specializes in the environmentally sound management of electronic waste, including the recovery of cobalt and other valuable metals from lithium-ion batteries found in consumer electronics and IT equipment.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

  • Global network ensuring compliant and secure recycling services for multinational corporations.

  • Zero-landfill policy, maximizing resource recovery from all processed materials.

Get Full Report Here: Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Cobalt Recycling Is Integrated and Intelligent

The cobalt waste recycling market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. While traditional metal recovery remains the foundation, the industry is rapidly evolving towards integrated material production, digital supply chains, and stronger regulatory frameworks.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rapid capacity expansion of hydrometallurgical recycling facilities, particularly in China, Europe, and North America.

  • Regulatory push for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and mandatory recycling targets for batteries.

  • Digitalization for tracking battery lifecycles, optimizing collection logistics, and ensuring material traceability.

  • Automaker-battery manufacturer-recycler alliances to create secure, closed-loop supply chains.

Get Full Report Here: Cobalt Waste Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only recovering valuable materials—they are fundamentally building the circular infrastructure essential for a sustainable, electrified future.