Brunp Recycling, a subsidiary of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), has reported achieving recovery rates of 99.6 percent for nickel, cobalt and manganese, as well as 96.5 percent for lithium, from spent power batteries. These figures were attained using the company’s proprietary Directional Recycling Technology (DRT), which combines intelligent disassembly, hydrometallurgical processing and targeted material restoration.
In 2024, Brunp processed more than 120,000 metric tons of end-of-life batteries and reclaimed approximately 17,100 tons of lithium salts. Based on an average battery weight of 300 kilograms per electric vehicle, this volume of recycled material corresponds to the equivalent battery capacity of roughly 200,000 to 300,000 EVs each year.
By recovering high proportions of critical metals domestically, Brunp’s operations help reduce China’s dependence on imported nickel, cobalt and lithium. The reintegrated materials can be used in new battery production, reinforcing a circular economy approach and supporting the regeneration of strategic resources.
Founded in 2005 in Foshan, Guangdong, Brunp initially manufactured consumer lithium batteries before transitioning exclusively to power battery recycling in 2011. CATL became the company’s controlling shareholder in 2015, and Brunp has since grown into the world’s largest dedicated battery recycling enterprise.
Brunp has played a key role in the development of national technical standards for battery recycling in China, contributing to more than 80 percent of the guidelines governing lithium battery recovery. It has also supported 18 standards committees focused on areas including non-ferrous metals, chemical disposal, automotive recycling processes, chemical engineering protocols and logistics management.
Through ongoing innovation in recycling processes and active participation in industry standardization efforts, Brunp aims to further improve material recovery rates and promote sustainable practices across the battery lifecycle.
Source: CNEV Post
