Cell Design and Materials: Alternative Chemistries

Lead-Acid Batteries: Supply Chain, Materials, and Recycling

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Source: Circularity of the Lead-Acid Battery Industry

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Lead has recently been included in the USGS list of critical minerals because of its role in battery manufacturing and the associated impacts of that and the recycling industries The estimated value of the lead-acid battery market as of 2024 was approximately $50B with growth estimates ranging from 27% CAGR, depending on market and application In the lead battery industry, the raw inputs to the battery for manufacturing are highly intertwined with the scrap or recycling market. Lead batteries have a reported 99% recycling rate, the highest of any consumer product in the United States. Recycling rates are high in Europe and Japan while other regions are continuing efforts to increase recycling rate as informal recycling remains a concern This strong recycling stream results in more than 83% of lead in US lead battery manufacturing to be sourced from North American recycling facilities, with new batteries averaging at least 80% recycled content. Ongoing efforts, demonstrated by the Lead Battery 360 Initiative, a global program led by the International Lead Association ILA, Battery Council International BCI, the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers EUROBAT and the Association of Battery Recyclers ABR aims to promote best practices in lead mining, lead production, lead battery manufacturing and recycling, and by encouraging responsible practices along the entire battery value chain through supply chain management and product stewardship.

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