The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is not only transforming the automotive industry but also the global metal recycling landscape. As demand for rechargeable batteries increases, metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper are becoming increasingly valuable—and their recycling more strategic than ever.
More electric cars, more need for critical metals
Lithium-ion batteries, which power most electric cars, require large amounts of metals such as:
- Lithium: critical for energy capacity.
- Cobalt and nickel: improve battery stability and efficiency.
- Copper: used in cables, motors, and vehicle electronics.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), demand for these materials could increase fivefold or more by 2040 if the current pace of transport electrification continues.
Recycling as a Response to Scarcity
Faced with a limited and often geopolitically unstable mineral supply, recycling is presented as a sustainable and strategic solution:
Recovering metals from used batteries helps reduce pressure on mining.
It reduces the environmental impact of primary extraction.
It fosters a circular economy within the technology and automotive industries.
Global Implications
Countries that lead the recycling of strategic metals will not only reduce their dependence on foreign mining but could become key players in the green economy of the future. Europe, for example, is already implementing regulations to require manufacturers to recycle batteries efficiently.
China, for its part, has invested heavily in recycling infrastructure, while Latin America—rich in minerals but lagging in recycling—is beginning to see an incipient movement toward the development of this sector.
Today, however, less than 5% of the lithium used in batteries is recycled, which represents a huge opportunity—and a challenge.
Metal recycling is no longer just an environmentally friendly practice: it’s a strategic move to secure the materials of the future. In the context of the electric vehicle boom, whoever dominates the battery recycling chain will dominate a key part of the energy transition.
The game has changed, and metal recycling is now a central piece of the new game.
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