Latest news with #LiCycle
National Post
07-08-2025
- Business
- National Post
Li-Cycle Completes Sale of Certain of its Subsidiaries and Assets to Glencore
Article content Sale includes Spokes in Germany, Arizona, Alabama, New York and Ontario, Rochester Hub project, intellectual property portfolio, and assumption of certain liabilities Article content Successful credit bid concludes Li-Cycle's court approved sale and investment solicitation process Article content Article content TORONTO — Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. ('Li-Cycle' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce the completion of the sale of certain of its subsidiaries and assets to an affiliate of Glencore Canada Corporation ('Glencore'), the Company's largest secured creditor, by way of credit bid and assumption of certain indebtedness. Article content The sale includes Li-Cycle's Germany, Arizona, Alabama, New York, and Ontario Spokes; its Rochester Hub project; and its intellectual property portfolio. Glencore has also assumed certain of Li-Cycle's liabilities. Glencore's successful credit bid concludes Li-Cycle's court-approved sale and investment solicitation process. The remaining Li-Cycle entities are either being wound-up under their corporate statutes or remain in creditor protection pursuant to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) ('CCAA') and Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at this time. More information regarding Li-Cycle's CCAA and Chapter 15 proceedings can be found at Forward-Looking Statements Article content Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as 'believe', 'may', 'will', 'continue', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'expect', 'should', 'would', 'could', 'plan', 'potential', 'future', 'target' or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements about the remaining Li-Cycle entities either being wound-up or remaining in creditor protection: These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, including but not limited to assumptions regarding the Company's liquidity and financial condition. There can be no assurance that such estimates or assumptions will prove to be correct and, as a result, actual results or events may differ materially from expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Article content These forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding certain key elements of Li-Cycle's current objectives, goals, targets, strategic priorities, expectations and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of Li-Cycle's business and anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes and is not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Article content Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Li-Cycle, and are not guarantees of future performance. Li-Cycle believes that these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties related to Li-Cycle's business are described in greater detail in the section titled 'Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors' and 'Part II – Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation' in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC and the Ontario Securities Commission in Canada. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Article content Li-Cycle assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Li-Cycle's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Investment Opportunities 2025-2030: EV Boom and Sustainable Energy Demand Drive Innovation
The global market is set to soar to USD 1.83 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 44.80%. Explore regional dominance, growth insights, and strategic forecasts. Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Dublin, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Application (Transportation, Consumer Electronics, Industrial), Region (North America, Asia-Pacific) with Growth Forecasts, 2025-2030" has been added to offering. The global Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market is poised for remarkable expansion, projected to skyrocket from USD 198.37 million in 2024 to USD 1.83 billion by 2030, marking a substantial CAGR of 44.80%. This unprecedented growth is primarily fueled by the burgeoning demand for electric vehicles (EVs), consumer electronics, and renewable energy storage solutions. As the global community pivots towards greener energy alternatives, sustainable battery manufacturing and disposal practices have become imperative. The market presents myriad opportunities for businesses, investors, and environmental advocates. Companies like Li-Cycle Corp., Retrieve, and Umicore are at the forefront, pioneering efficient, cost-effective recycling processes to meet burgeoning demands. Strategic partnerships among battery manufacturers, EV producers, and recycling firms foster valuable collaborations along the value chain, ensuring responsible management from production to the end-of-life stages. For instance, Tesla's alliance with Redwood Materials in February 2023 focuses on enhancing recycling technologies for Tesla vehicle batteries. The market's momentum is driven significantly by the rapid electrification of the automotive sector. Major automakers' commitments to fleet electrification underscore the escalating demand for lithium-ion batteries, elevating the need for efficient recycling solutions to recover critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Report Highlights The transportation segment dominated the market with a 69.79% revenue share in 2024, driven by elevated environmental concerns and the surging demand for EVs. Asia-Pacific led the regional markets with a revenue share exceeding 43.01% in 2023, thanks to high EV demand, thriving consumer electronics markets, and increased environmental awareness. China emerged as a significant revenue contributor. The North American market is anticipated to witness substantial growth, propelled by the increasing demand for cleaner energy sources. This report addresses: Comprehensive market intelligence to facilitate effective decision-making. Market estimates and forecasts stretching from 2018 to 2030. Insightful growth opportunities and trend analyses. Segment and regional revenue forecasts for precise market assessment. Competitive strategies and market share analysis. Product innovation listings to keep you ahead of the curve. Why Should You Buy This Report? Comprehensive Market Analysis: Attain detailed insights into market dynamics across key regions and segments. Competitive Landscape: Explore the presence and strategies of leading industry players. Future Trends: Unveil pivotal trends and drivers earmarking the market's future landscape. Actionable Recommendations: Leverage insights to identify new revenue streams and guide strategic business initiatives. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 90 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $198.37 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.83 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 44.8% Regions Covered Global Table of Contents Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope1.1. Market Segmentation & Scope1.2. Market Definition1.3. Information Procurement1.4. Information Analysis1.5. Market Formulation & Data Visualization1.6. Data Validation & Publishing Chapter 2. Executive Summary2.1. Market Snapshot2.2. Segment Snapshot2.3. Competitive Landscape Snapshot Chapter 3. Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market Variables, Trends & Scope3.1. Market Lineage Outlook3.2. Industry Value Chain Analysis3.3. Regulatory Framework, by Regions3.4. Market Dynamics3.5. Industry Analysis Tools Chapter 4. Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis4.1. Application Movement Analysis & Market Share4.2. Market Estimates & Forecast, by Application4.2.1. Transportation4.2.2. Consumer Electronics4.2.3. Industrial Chapter 5. Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis5.1. Regional Movement Analysis & Market Share5.2. North America5.3. Europe5.4. Asia-Pacific5.5. Central & South America5.6. Middle East & Africa Chapter 6. Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market - Competitive Landscape6.1. Recent Developments & Impact Analysis, by Key Market Participants6.2. Company Categorization6.3. Company Market Position Analysis6.4. Company Heat Map Analysis6.5. Strategy Mapping6.6. Company Profiles The major companies featured in this Lithium-ion Battery Recycling market report include: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited LG Energy Solution Panasonic Corporation SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD. BYD SVOLT Energy Tesla Shenzhen Manly Battery Co. TOSHIBA CORPORATION SK on Co., Ltd. CALB Gotion, Inc. Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd. Li-Cycle Corp. Helbiz For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Li-Cycle Receives Cease Trade Order from Ontario Securities Commission
Article content TORONTO — Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (OTC Pink Markets: LICYQ) ('Li-Cycle' or the 'Company'), a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company, announced that, after close of markets on June 5, 2025, the Company received a cease trade order ('CTO') issued by the Ontario Securities Commission ('OSC') as a result of the Company's failure to file periodic disclosures required by Ontario securities legislation. Article content These disclosures include the interim financial statements, and management's discussion and analysis relating to such interim financial statements, for the period ended March 31, 2025, and certification of the foregoing filings as required by National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings. Article content Article content The CTO prohibits any person or company from trading, directly or indirectly, in any security of the Company in Ontario and each other jurisdiction of Canada that has a statutory reciprocal order provision, except in accordance with the conditions that are contained in the CTO, for as long as the CTO remains in effect. Article content A beneficial security holder of Li-Cycle who is not, and was not an insider or control person of the Company at the date of the CTO may sell securities of Li-Cycle acquired before the date of the CTO, if both of the following apply: Article content the sale is made through a 'foreign organized regulated market' (or 'FORM'), as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization; and the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Article content Li-Cycle's common shares are currently quoted on the OTC Pink Markets, which generally does not meet the FORM criteria. Article content As previously disclosed, on May 14, 2025, Li-Cycle and its subsidiaries in North America sought and obtained from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the 'Court') an order (the 'Initial Order') providing them with creditor protection pursuant to Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the 'CCAA'). On May 15, 2025, the CCAA proceedings were recognized, and immediate stays of proceedings entered, by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York pursuant to Chapter 15 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Article content Given the ongoing CCAA proceedings and the Initial Order, as amended and restated on May 22, 2025, Li-Cycle has determined that it does not currently intend to devote additional time or financial resources towards its public disclosure obligations in Canada and the United States. Article content The Company's common shares are expected to remain qualified to trade on the OTC Pink Markets for 180 days from the period end date of its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was for the period ended December 31, 2024. As Li-Cycle does not currently intend to file disclosures required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'), the Company expects it will be moved from the OTC Pink Markets to the OTC Expert Markets on or around June 30, 2025, pursuant to SEC Rule 15c2-11. Article content Holders of Li-Cycle securities are urged to consult with their own investment advisors or legal counsel regarding the implications of the CTO. Article content A copy of the CTO can be found on SEDAR+ at Additional information regarding the CCAA proceedings is available on the website of Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc., the Court-appointed monitor of the Company during the CCAA proceedings, at About Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. Article content Li-Cycle (OTC Pink Markets: LICYQ) is a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company. Established in 2016, and with major customers and partners around the world, Li-Cycle's mission is to recover critical battery-grade materials to create a domestic closed-loop battery supply chain for a clean energy future. For more information, visit Article content Forward-Looking Statements Article content Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as 'believe', 'may', 'will', 'continue', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'expect', 'should', 'would', 'could', 'plan', 'potential', 'future', 'target' or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements about: the Company's expectation that its common shares will remain qualified to trade on the OTC Pink Markets for 180 days following December 31, 2024, and that its common shares will be moved from the OTC Pink Markets to the OTC Expert Markets on or around June 30, 2025 pursuant to SEC Rule 15c2-11. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, including but not limited to assumptions regarding the Company's current and future liquidity and financial resources and the Company's CCAA process. There can be no assurance that such estimates or assumptions will prove to be correct and, as a result, actual results or events may differ materially from expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Article content These forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding certain key elements of Li-Cycle's current objectives, goals, targets, strategic priorities, expectations and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of Li-Cycle's business and anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes and is not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Article content Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Li-Cycle, and are not guarantees of future performance. Li-Cycle believes that these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties related to Li-Cycle's business are described in greater detail in the section titled 'Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors' and 'Part II – Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation' in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC and the Ontario Securities Commission in Canada. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Investors & Media Article content Article content Investors: Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada had big EV battery recycling plans, but without regulations it's the 'Wild West,' expert warns
A few years ago, Li-Cycle was one of the biggest players in electric vehicle battery recycling in North America, providing a roadmap to a circular, sustainable economy for electric vehicles. But just last month, the Toronto-based company filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. and Canada after years of struggling to get a facility off the ground in Rochester, N.Y. The company said the planned hub would have been able to extract lithium and other critical minerals from recycled material to actually build new EV batteries — a crucial step that North American recyclers haven't achieved on a commercial scale yet. The bankruptcy is a sign, some experts say, that the market can't sustain the industry without proper government regulation providing incentives and structure. EV batteries wear out over time, and with more than 600,000 EVs on the road in Canada, keeping those batteries out of landfills — and recovering the valuable critical minerals they contain — will be essential in the near future. But regulation around EV battery recycling is virtually nonexistent in Canada, and industry and policy experts say without it, we won't be ready when the waves of EV batteries hit the market. "There really is no regulatory or policy regime around this in North America," said Mark Winfield, a professor of environmental and urban change at Toronto's York University and co-chair of the school's Sustainable Energy Initiative. "It's a Wild West," he told CBC News. "The drivers that would generally … provide the sort of stability and the foundation for that kind of business just aren't there." Recent reports from the International Energy Association (IEA) and the World Economic Forum also emphasize the importance of establishing government regulation to track and ensure demand for recycled materials in EV batteries. Canada's federal government has laid out a plan to achieve 100 per cent zero-emission sales for passenger cars by 2035, but there's no national framework for EV batteries once they're too old to power a car. There are also no federal regulations around EV battery recycling, and B.C., the only province that had announced impending regulation, now says it's backing away from that plan. Meanwhile, EV sales are continuing to climb in Canada, with EVs making up 17 per cent of all new cars sold in 2024. Last year, more than 270,000 new vehicle registrations in Canada were battery-powered EVs or hybrid plug-in EVs. "Every EV that's sold is eventually going to turn into an end-of-consumer-life battery," Winfield said, adding that in a decade, there will be "tens of millions" of end-of-life EV batteries globally. The European Union set regulations in 2023 that Canada could use as a model, Winfield says, including requirements for recycled materials in new batteries starting in 2031, and expanded responsibilities for producers to monitor the lifespan of batteries. In a November 2024 report on how to scale up critical mineral recycling, the IEA recommended providing clear, long-term regulations which it noted are "crucial for instilling confidence in investors and recycling companies." Maria Kelleher, an environmental consultant who previously worked with Environment and Climate Change Canada on managing EV battery recycling, noted certain regulations would spur investment and help fledging projects scale up commercially in Canada and North America. "If the government says you have to have recycled content [in new batteries], it provides the recyclers with certainty, because the companies buying the product have to buy their product," she said. "So it does drive the market." Recycling lithium-ion batteries that power EVs happens in two stages. First, batteries are shredded into a substance called black mass, which contains critical minerals like cobalt, nickel and lithium. Then, minerals are extracted from black mass, refined and sold to make new batteries. This step is where Kelleher says recycling can become truly lucrative "The key is to sell into the battery supply chain," she said, noting that the recycled material extracted from black mass needs to be consistently high-quality for manufacturers to use it. "If you can do it, it's fantastic." Lithion Technologies in Quebec and B.C.'s RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc. are among the recycling facilities in Canada that have started producing black mass from EV batteries in recent years. And Ontario-based Electra Battery Materials has been operating a successful recycling trial since 2022, but hasn't reached commercial production yet. They're aiming to build a new plant in a joint venture with Three Fires Group in northern Ontario that they say could begin recycling EV batteries in 2027. But extracting minerals from black mass to make new batteries is mostly concentrated overseas, especially in China and south-east Asia where the EV battery recycling industry has grown up alongside manufacturing. Kelleher believes there's still plenty of time for the market to find its footing before regulation is needed in Canada. EV batteries were originally predicted to last eight years, but now, they have an estimated 12 to 15 year lifespan in vehicles. They also retain 80 per cent of their capacity after use in vehicles, and can last up to 10 more years when repurposed for a second-life, according to industry reports and experts. That's what Vancouver-based Moment Energy is trying to achieve by partnering with automakers and dealerships to repurpose old EV batteries for use in energy storage systems. Samreen Rattan, Moment Energy's co-founder and chief operating officer, told CBC News they're already seeing demand for repurposing ramp up, and expect the first peak to start in 2030. "In order for this to truly be streamlined, I think having a federal policy would go a long way," Rattan said, adding that guidelines are necessary so the repurposing step isn't skipped. Ultimately, Kelleher says regulations aren't necessarily needed until the EV battery recycling market develops a more secure supply, something she says "won't happen until you have scale, until you have enough batteries at end-of-life." But Winfield argues we need to move now in order to have the infrastructure to deal with the spent batteries poised to enter the recycling market in waves. Based on yearly new vehicle registrations of EVs in Canada since 2011, and assuming a 12-year lifespan within a vehicle and a 10-year secondary use lifespan, there will be at least 93,000 EV batteries that require recycling by 2040, with a further 500,000 ready between 2040 and 2045. "I don't think there's any excuse for not getting ahead of this," Winfield said. "It would be a monumental lack of foresight." Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) told CBC News in an emailed statement that managing EV batteries at their end-of-life is up to provinces and territories. ECCC pointed to B.C.'s 2021 announcement that it would add EV batteries to its extended producer responsibility program by 2026, which would require EV automakers to arrange for their batteries to be recycled or reused. Except B.C. told CBC News that it will no longer be adding EV batteries to the program by 2026. The provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks said the change came after consultation "with industry and other impacted parties" and in light of "significant global changes in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) battery market." It also said it "may explore further consultation," but did not provide a new timeline for when regulation might be considered. WATCH | Canada's push to figure out what to do with EV batteries after they die: ECCC also pointed to a voluntary battery recovery program initiated in Quebec in 2023. This program allows consumers to reach out to partnering automakers that will pick up drained batteries and arrange next steps. Quebec considered adding EV batteries to an extended producer responsibility program in 2021, but after receiving feedback from the industry, the province said it dropped the idea. The province also held two workshops in 2023 and 2024 to explore "whether and how this sector should be regulated," according to an emailed statement. Ontario, which has one of the highest rates of EV adoption in Canada told CBC News it doesn't have plans to include EV batteries in its producer requirements because they're "diverted from landfills through voluntary initiatives." The province's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks said it would "continue to monitor the management activities" to see if regulations should be introduced in the future. Automakers and industry players in Canada say they are already arranging recycling on their own — most offer country-wide recovery of EV batteries, and many have partnered with recycling plants for battery shredding. However, without oversight, the success of these initiatives is unclear. Winfield says the government responses are "really quite shocking," and show that the situation is even worse than it was in 2023, when he first worked on a report assessing the lack of regulation. He wants to see Canada follow the lead of the European Union, which in 2023 added requirements for a carbon footprint declaration for EV batteries, expanded producer responsibilities and introduced a "battery passport" to establish a transparent digital record for the life cycle of every single battery. It also imposed minimum requirements starting in 2031 for how much recycled content must be included in new batteries. "That provides a framework of stability for the sector, a set of rules that say, 'Yes, there's going to be a need for these kinds of services, there are going to be rules around them,' " Winfield said. "Without a regulatory framework around this, there is no viable business model."
CBC
01-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada had big EV battery recycling plans, but without regulations it's the 'Wild West,' expert warns
Social Sharing A few years ago, Li-Cycle was one of the biggest players in electric vehicle battery recycling in North America, providing a roadmap to a circular, sustainable economy for electric vehicles. But just last month, the Toronto-based company filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. and Canada after years of struggling to get a facility off the ground in Rochester, N.Y. The company said the planned hub would have been able to extract lithium and other critical minerals from recycled material to actually build new EV batteries — a crucial step that North American recyclers haven't achieved on a commercial scale yet. The bankruptcy is a sign, some experts say, that the market can't sustain the industry without proper government regulation providing incentives and structure. EV batteries wear out over time, and with more than 600,000 EVs on the road in Canada, keeping those batteries out of landfills — and recovering the valuable critical minerals they contain — will be essential in the near future. But regulation around EV battery recycling is virtually nonexistent in Canada, and industry and policy experts say without it, we won't be ready when the waves of EV batteries hit the market. "There really is no regulatory or policy regime around this in North America," said Mark Winfield, a professor of environmental and urban change at Toronto's York University and co-chair of the school's Sustainable Energy Initiative. "It's a Wild West," he told CBC News. "The drivers that would generally … provide the sort of stability and the foundation for that kind of business just aren't there." Recent reports from the International Energy Association (IEA) and the World Economic Forum also emphasize the importance of establishing government regulation to track and ensure demand for recycled materials in EV batteries. Canada's federal government has laid out a plan to achieve 100 per cent zero-emission sales for passenger cars by 2035, but there's no national framework for EV batteries once they're too old to power a car. There are also no federal regulations around EV battery recycling, and B.C., the only province that had announced impending regulation, now says it's backing away from that plan. Meanwhile, EV sales are continuing to climb in Canada, with EVs making up 17 per cent of all new cars sold in 2024. Last year, more than 270,000 new vehicle registrations in Canada were battery-powered EVs or hybrid plug-in EVs. "Every EV that's sold is eventually going to turn into an end-of-consumer-life battery," Winfield said, adding that in a decade, there will be "tens of millions" of end-of-life EV batteries globally. The European Union set regulations in 2023 that Canada could use as a model, Winfield says, including requirements for recycled materials in new batteries starting in 2031, and expanded responsibilities for producers to monitor the lifespan of batteries. In a November 2024 report on how to scale up critical mineral recycling, the IEA recommended providing clear, long-term regulations which it noted are "crucial for instilling confidence in investors and recycling companies." Maria Kelleher, an environmental consultant who previously worked with Environment and Climate Change Canada on managing EV battery recycling, noted certain regulations would spur investment and help fledging projects scale up commercially in Canada and North America. "If the government says you have to have recycled content [in new batteries], it provides the recyclers with certainty, because the companies buying the product have to buy their product," she said. "So it does drive the market." How EV battery recycling works Recycling lithium-ion batteries that power EVs happens in two stages. First, batteries are shredded into a substance called black mass, which contains critical minerals like cobalt, nickel and lithium. Then, minerals are extracted from black mass, refined and sold to make new batteries. This step is where Kelleher says recycling can become truly lucrative "The key is to sell into the battery supply chain," she said, noting that the recycled material extracted from black mass needs to be consistently high-quality for manufacturers to use it. "If you can do it, it's fantastic." Lithion Technologies in Quebec and B.C.'s RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc. are among the recycling facilities in Canada that have started producing black mass from EV batteries in recent years. And Ontario-based Electra Battery Materials has been operating a successful recycling trial since 2022, but hasn't reached commercial production yet. They're aiming to build a new plant in a joint venture with Three Fires Group in northern Ontario that they say could begin recycling EV batteries in 2027. But extracting minerals from black mass to make new batteries is mostly concentrated overseas, especially in China and south-east Asia where the EV battery recycling industry has grown up alongside manufacturing. Giving batteries a second life Kelleher believes there's still plenty of time for the market to find its footing before regulation is needed in Canada. EV batteries were originally predicted to last eight years, but now, they have an estimated 12 to 15 year lifespan in vehicles. They also retain 80 per cent of their capacity after use in vehicles, and can last up to 10 more years when repurposed for a second-life, according to industry reports and experts. That's what Vancouver-based Moment Energy is trying to achieve by partnering with automakers and dealerships to repurpose old EV batteries for use in energy storage systems. Samreen Rattan, Moment Energy's co-founder and chief operating officer, told CBC News they're already seeing demand for repurposing ramp up, and expect the first peak to start in 2030. "In order for this to truly be streamlined, I think having a federal policy would go a long way," Rattan said, adding that guidelines are necessary so the repurposing step isn't skipped. Ultimately, Kelleher says regulations aren't necessarily needed until the EV battery recycling market develops a more secure supply, something she says "won't happen until you have scale, until you have enough batteries at end-of-life." But Winfield argues we need to move now in order to have the infrastructure to deal with the spent batteries poised to enter the recycling market in waves. Based on yearly new vehicle registrations of EVs in Canada since 2011, and assuming a 12-year lifespan within a vehicle and a 10-year secondary use lifespan, there will be at least 93,000 EV batteries that require recycling by 2040, with a further 500,000 ready between 2040 and 2045. "I don't think there's any excuse for not getting ahead of this," Winfield said. "It would be a monumental lack of foresight." So what are Canadian governments doing? Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) told CBC News in an emailed statement that managing EV batteries at their end-of-life is up to provinces and territories. ECCC pointed to B.C.'s 2021 announcement that it would add EV batteries to its extended producer responsibility program by 2026, which would require EV automakers to arrange for their batteries to be recycled or reused. Except B.C. told CBC News that it will no longer be adding EV batteries to the program by 2026. The provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks said the change came after consultation "with industry and other impacted parties" and in light of "significant global changes in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) battery market." It also said it "may explore further consultation," but did not provide a new timeline for when regulation might be considered. WATCH | Canada's push to figure out what to do with EV batteries after they die: EVs and e-bikes are more popular than ever. Are all those batteries headed for landfills? 11 months ago Duration 2:31 There's a push in Quebec to find new technology that could help recycle materials found in rechargeable batteries, like those in electric cars and e-bikes. ECCC also pointed to a voluntary battery recovery program initiated in Quebec in 2023. This program allows consumers to reach out to partnering automakers that will pick up drained batteries and arrange next steps. Quebec considered adding EV batteries to an extended producer responsibility program in 2021, but after receiving feedback from the industry, the province said it dropped the idea. The province also held two workshops in 2023 and 2024 to explore "whether and how this sector should be regulated," according to an emailed statement. Ontario, which has one of the highest rates of EV adoption in Canada told CBC News it doesn't have plans to include EV batteries in its producer requirements because they're "diverted from landfills through voluntary initiatives." The province's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks said it would "continue to monitor the management activities" to see if regulations should be introduced in the future. Automakers and industry players in Canada say they are already arranging recycling on their own — most offer country-wide recovery of EV batteries, and many have partnered with recycling plants for battery shredding. However, without oversight, the success of these initiatives is unclear. EU rules could provide 'framework of stability' Winfield says the government responses are "really quite shocking," and show that the situation is even worse than it was in 2023, when he first worked on a report assessing the lack of regulation. He wants to see Canada follow the lead of the European Union, which in 2023 added requirements for a carbon footprint declaration for EV batteries, expanded producer responsibilities and introduced a "battery passport" to establish a transparent digital record for the life cycle of every single battery. It also imposed minimum requirements starting in 2031 for how much recycled content must be included in new batteries. "That provides a framework of stability for the sector, a set of rules that say, 'Yes, there's going to be a need for these kinds of services, there are going to be rules around them,' " Winfield said.
