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We all know that battery scrap is the discarded or end-of-life batteries from various sources (such as electronics, vehicles, and industrial equipment). As the world shifts towards electronic devices and electric vehicles, the demand for batteries has increased and this has led to the rise in the amount of battery waste generated. These used batteries contain hazardous materials (including heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury), and they can cause potential harm to the environment and human health. Thus, it is very important to recycle battery scrap to minimize the environmental impact, as well as, reclaim valuable materials. And this is where the global trade in battery scrap comes into the picture, supporting a circular and green economy in silence.
Thus, what was once seen as hazardous e-waste is now a prized commodity in international trade. Battery scrap, especially from lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, is a key source of crucial raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and lead. Did you know that lead-acid battery recycling was formalized in the early 1900s? Today, it has become one of the most recycled consumer products globally. As governments make stricter environment-related regulations and industries seek alternatives to mining, battery scrap exporters now hold a strategic position in the global supply chain. Whether you're trading 75Ah battery scrap, used lithium-ion mobile batteries, or industrial inverter battery scrap, there's growing demand from waste battery scrap buyers and battery scrap importers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas (especially where advanced recycling infrastructure exists).
There is a mix of economic, technological, and environmental reasons behind the growing demand for battery scrap in international trade. Here are the major ones:
Probably you already know, but battery scrap is a secondary source of high-value metals like lead (from lead-acid batteries), lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese (from lithium-ion batteries), and cadmium and nickel (from nickel-cadmium batteries). Thus, battery manufacturers are scrambling to secure stable supplies of these valuable materials, especially with the booming EV production, grid-scale energy storage, and portable electronics usage.
Battery recycling helps countries meet environmental goals by reducing landfill waste, heavy metal pollution, and carbon emissions (from mining & refining). And how can we forget, it promotes circular economy practices in the e-waste and automotive sectors. That's the reason why governments all over the globe are incentivizing domestic industries to use recycled materials, increasing the need for reliable sources of scrap batteries.
Mining new lithium, cobalt, or lead is expensive, energy-intensive, and politically sensitive. Many mines are located in geopolitically unstable regions (e.g., Congo for cobalt, Afghanistan for lithium), creating supply chain risks. While industrialized nations now view battery scrap imports as a strategic resource.
Last but not least, many developing nations lack sufficient battery recycling infrastructure. Exporting battery scrap to countries with better processing capacity (e.g., China, South Korea, Germany) ensures materials are safely handled while enabling exporters to earn higher prices for sorted and high-quality scrap.
Understanding the different types of battery scrap is essential for effective trade and compliance. Here are the major types of battery scrap traded worldwide.
The classification of battery scrap often depends on chemistry and usage. Among all, scrap lithium ion batteries are the most valuable and hazardous because of their energy density and metal content. However, lead-acid batteries are the most recycled battery type due to well-established infrastructure and high lead recovery rates.
In order to make their business more profitable and attract a larger buyer base, suppliers dealing in battery scrap often diversify into related categories and recycling segments, such as:
From global battery recycling market size to top importers and price range, here are the key insights that every exporter should know to make smart decisions, recognize opportunities, and grow their business.
Battery Recycling Global Market Size:
Source: IMARC
Top Battery Scrap Importers Worldwide:
Source: Volza
Battery Scrap Price Range:
Scrap battery prices usually vary based on battery type, condition, metal content, and global commodity pricing. Here's a rough snapshot of old battery scrap price per kg (per lb).
Source: Scrap Metal Buyers
Trading battery scrap, especially internationally, is heavily regulated due to its classification as hazardous waste. Exporters must understand and comply with export laws and environmental policies. Here are the key regulatory frameworks and documentation requirements.
1. Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
Under the Basel Convention, battery scrap is considered hazardous waste. Thus, exporters must obtain Prior Informed Consent (PIC) from the importing country. Many nations ban hazardous waste imports from non-OECD countries or require special permits.
2. WEEE & Battery Directives (European Union)
The EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and EU Battery Directive require full documentation of:
3. Hazardous Waste Management Rules (India)
India allows the import and export of battery scrap only through registered recyclers under its Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. Exporters must work with Pollution Control Board-authorized buyers. Moreover, exports must include:
4. U.S. EPA Regulations
In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees all trade involving Universal Waste (which includes used batteries). Exporters must:
5. China’s Restrictions on Waste Imports
Since 2018, China has banned most waste imports. Battery scrap is only allowed under specific licenses and must meet purity and sorting standards.
Whether you are looking for scrap car battery buyers, inverter battery scrap buyers, or used mobile battery scrap buyers, here are the most effective methods to follow:
1. What is the price of battery scrap per kg?
Battery scrap prices vary by type and market conditions. Here are the average waste battery scrap prices per kg:
Lead-acid batteries: $0.35 – $0.75/kg
Lithium-ion batteries: $3.30 – $5.50/kg
Mobile phone batteries: ~$6.00/kg
2. Can I sell batteries for scrap?
Yes, most battery types can be sold as scrap to authorized recyclers or scrap dealers. However, it is highly regulated due to the hazardous nature of batteries.
3. What is "black mass" and its role in battery recycling?
Black mass is the powdered residue extracted from shredded lithium-ion batteries. It contains valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. It plays a central role in battery recycling by being processed to recover these critical raw materials for new batteries.
4. What are the regulations surrounding battery scrap export?
Battery scrap (especially lead-acid) is classified as hazardous waste. Here are the regulations that battery scrap exporters need to follow:
5. What is the battery scrap HSN code?
8548 is the battery scrap HSN code.
6. How to find buyers for battery scraps?
You can find verified battery scraps buyers through:
A report by ICEA and Accenture forecasts India’s li-ion battery recycling market could scale to USD?3.5?billion by 2030. (Full Story: ET Auto)
