During the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the white paper “Turning Risk Into Reward With a Circular Economy For EV Batteries And Critical Minerals”, led and developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, was officially released. As a key industry practitioner in the field of EV battery recycling, Huayou Recycling participated in the research underpinning the report, contributing practical perspectives and industry insights to support the development of a circular value chain for EV batteries.
At present, the rapid growth of the global electric vehicle (EV) industry is accompanied by multiple systemic challenges. How to extend the full lifecycle value of batteries through circular economy models, improve resource efficiency, strengthen supply chain resilience, and reduce social and environmental impacts has become a central concern for both industry stakeholders and policymakers worldwide. Against this backdrop, the Foundation initiated the study and concludes that the pathway forward lies in a systemic transformation of the value chains for EV batteries and critical minerals. The report outlines how circular economy strategies—grounded in practical, structural, and systemic approaches—can reshape the EV battery economy, unlocking economic value while enhancing system resilience. It also identifies five high-potential leadership actions and calls for strengthened collaboration across the entire value chain to accelerate the scalable development of a circular economy for EV batteries.
As a globally influential organization in the field of circular economy, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has long been committed to advancing the practical implementation of circular economy principles in key sectors. The release of this white paper during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting underscores the growing importance of EV battery circularity within the global economic governance and sustainability agenda, while also providing a vital platform for international dialogue and collaboration among industry stakeholders.
Throughout the research process, Huayou Recycling drew on its extensive experience in EV battery recycling, sharing frontline insights across areas such as full lifecycle battery management, efficient resource circulation, and industry collaboration mechanisms. By contributing to research discussions and case analyses, the company provided a practice-based perspective that helps ensure the report reflects real-world industrial conditions and operational dynamics.
Huayou Recycling has long been deeply engaged in the recycling of EOL EV batteries and has established a comprehensive green value chain spanning recycling networks, precision disassembling, pre-treatment, hydrometallurgy, and direct-recycling. At the same time, the company actively collaborates with enterprises and institutions across the EV battery value chain to jointly advance a forward-looking vision for a circular economy. Looking ahead, Huayou Recycling will continue to participate in the development of the global circular economy system with an open approach, contributing Chinese expertise to explore scalable and replicable pathways for circular economy practices across the industry.
