A new five-year plan sets recycling targets for batteries, metal scrap, and solar and wind power components through 2030. The country also aims to make metal production more environmentally friendly.
China plans to significantly expand the recycling of end-of-life batteries, metal scrap, and components from solar and wind power installations by 2030. This is outlined in the new five-year plan for green and low-carbon industrial development published on July 31. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has defined specific volume targets and additional measures to promote more sustainable metal production.
By 2030, China aims to recycle more than one million tonnes of spent traction batteries each year. Recovered materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are expected to cover 10–15% of the raw material demand for traction battery manufacturing. To achieve this, China plans to modernize existing recycling capacities and strengthen oversight across the entire value chain.
The plan also sets targets for the circular use of key secondary raw materials. Their utilization is expected to increase from 380 million tonnes in 2025 to 510 million tonnes by 2030. Annual production of recycled non-ferrous metals is targeted at 25 million tonnes, while 300 million tonnes of steel scrap are to be recovered and processed each year.
Targets have also been established for end-of-life solar and wind power components. By 2030, around 80,000 tonnes of photovoltaic modules and 170,000 tonnes of wind turbine rotor blades are to be recycled annually. In addition, the production of steel and non-ferrous metals is to become more environmentally friendly, including through greater use of renewable electricity in electrolytic aluminum production.
More on the topic: The United States is also seeking to recover more critical raw materials from secondary sources. Just days ago, President Donald Trump authorized the Department of Commerce to impose export restrictions on raw-material-bearing scrap in an effort to keep these material streams within the country.
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