Battery manufacturer CATL is set to partner with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation on the development of a circular economy opportunity for batteries.
CATL, which will become the first renewable technology firm in the Foundation’s network, has pledged to work alongside the group to develop an ecosystem of cross-industrial partners aimed at developing and implementing a blueprint for battery circularity.
This will be essential for the industry to move beyond the current ‘take-make-waste’ approach, it added.
‘A major step forward’
“This strategic partnership represents a major step forward in our shared vision of a sustainable energy future,” commented Sandy Song, CATL’s global lead for circular economy (pictured). “By combining our knowledge and innovation capabilities in the battery industry with the Foundation’s leadership in the circular economy, we are well-positioned to create a truly circular battery ecosystem.
This is not just about environmental responsibility—it’s about driving innovation and building a system that benefits industries and communities worldwide.”
In 2024, CATL recycled about 130,000 tonnes of used batteries to produce 17,000 tonnes of lithium salt, as part of its efforts to preserve renewable materials from the battery recycling process.
Speaking at a recent Ellen MacArthur Foundation event in the Netherlands, Dennis Pan, chief sustainability officer of CATL emphasised the “critical importance” of designing batteries with recyclability in mind.
‘A unique chance’
“The rapid growth of renewable energy and electrification offers a unique chance to build circular value chains from the ground up. By embracing a circular economy, businesses can recover valuable resources from first-wave technologies, such as electric vehicles, rather than discarding them,” added Joe Murphy, Executive Lead, Network, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
“As the world’s foremost producer of batteries for both electric vehicles and energy storage systems, CATL’s expertise will be key to establishing a truly circular battery industry and driving the circular economy of the wider energy transition.” Read more here.
