A new regulation on power battery recycling, effective April 1, 2026, mandates mandatory scrapping and full-lifecycle digital traceability, reshaping China's recycling market. Over 1,200 illegal sites have been closed. In 2025, retired batteries totaled 820,000 tonnes, with over 400,000 tonnes recycled. The 2024 market exceeded RMB 48 billion. GEM recycled 53,000 tonnes in 2025 (up 46%) and plans to expand to 80,000 tonnes in 2026. European and Chinese companies are deepening partnerships, including Suez's acquisition of a 35% stake in Xunying New Energy and Gotion's EUR 950 million Spanish project.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on July 30, 2026, abolished the "cascade utilization" policy for retired new energy vehicle power batteries, removing 100 companies from the standardized list. The move aims to eliminate market inertia and prevent fraudulent repackaging of used batteries. The notice also clarifies that retired batteries cannot be used in e-bikes or other prohibited areas. This follows a 2025 regulation that redefined comprehensive utilization as only recycling, and a 2026 joint enforcement action.