- Battery circularity patent activity grew 42% annually between 2017 and 2023, outpacing broader battery manufacturing innovation.
- Around 14 million electric vehicle batteries are expected to reach end of life by 2040, driving demand for recycling and reuse solutions.
- China has emerged as a global leader in battery recycling innovation, while Europe strengthens its circular battery ecosystem.
Innovation in battery recycling and reuse technologies is accelerating rapidly as governments and industry seek to strengthen critical mineral supply chains, improve energy security and reduce the environmental impact of battery waste.
A new study released by the European Patent Office and the International Energy Agency shows that international patent families linked to battery circularity recorded average annual growth of 42% between 2017 and 2023. This compares with 16% growth for rechargeable battery manufacturing overall and just 2% across all technology sectors.
The report highlights growing global efforts to address the looming challenge of battery waste management as millions of electric vehicle batteries approach the end of their operational lives. Around 1.2 million EV batteries are expected to reach end of life by 2030, rising sharply to 14 million by 2040.
Battery circularity technologies include battery recycling, reuse in vehicles and repurposing for secondary applications such as stationary energy storage systems. These technologies are increasingly viewed as essential to reducing dependence on primary mining while supporting the global energy transition.
European Patent Office President António Campinos said innovation in battery circularity technologies will play a critical role in securing resources, strengthening industrial competitiveness and reducing environmental impact.
He noted that regions with strong industrial ecosystems, supportive policy frameworks and access to recycling feedstock will be best positioned to lead the emerging circular battery economy.
International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said batteries have become central to energy security and industrial competitiveness in the growing electrification era.
According to the report, accelerating innovation in recycling and reuse technologies can ease pressure on critical mineral supply chains, lower environmental impacts and unlock new economic opportunities.
The rapid global expansion of electric vehicles is driving the surge in battery related innovation. More than one in four vehicles sold globally in 2025 was an electric vehicle powered by lithium ion or similar advanced battery technologies.
Energy storage technologies, including batteries, now account for approximately 40% of all energy related patent activity worldwide and continue to grow strongly.
Asia dominated battery circularity innovation in 2023, accounting for 63% of all international patent families in the sector. Japanese and South Korean companies including Toyota, LG and Sumitomo were early leaders in the field before being overtaken by Chinese battery recycling company Brunp.
China’s share of battery circularity patent activity increased from 5% in 2013 to 29% in 2023 as Chinese companies expanded internationally and strengthened their position across the broader battery value chain.
European companies and research institutions accounted for around 20% of international patent families in battery circularity. European innovation activity has focused strongly on battery collection systems and chemical transformation technologies used to recover raw materials for new battery production.
The report states that while Asia continues to lead growth in battery circularity innovation, Europe’s expanding activity combined with targeted policy support could help establish a robust regional battery recycling ecosystem.
The European Patent Office has also updated its clean energy technology platform with a dedicated battery circularity section and expanded its Deep Tech Finder tool to include nearly 60 European startups and universities active in battery recycling and reuse technologies since 2006.
Link to the full report HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
