Redwood Materials and Caterpillar have launched a strategic collaboration to recycle lithium-ion battery packs from Caterpillar’s battery-electric underground loaders. This partnership complements Caterpillar Venture Capital’s investment in Redwood Materials’ Series D funding round, underscoring both companies’ shared commitment to advancing a circular supply chain for mining electrification.
The focus of this initiative is the Caterpillar R1700 XE, a fully electric underground loader designed to deliver zero-emission, high-performance operation in mining environments. Each R1700 XE is powered by a 213-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack—equivalent in energy capacity to more than 17,193 iPhones. By recovering lithium and other critical metals from these battery packs at end of life, Redwood Materials will process and return them to the battery supply chain, reducing the need for newly mined minerals.
Caterpillar’s push into electrified heavy equipment is setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency and sustainability within the mining sector. Eliminating diesel fuel from underground loading operations cuts on-site emissions, lowers ventilation requirements, and improves air quality for mine workers. At the same time, global demand for battery materials is projected to grow by over 1,000 percent in the next decade. While recycling will play a crucial role in meeting this demand, new mineral extraction will remain indispensable. This collaboration aims to close the materials loop by ensuring that retired batteries are efficiently recycled, thereby conserving resources and promoting responsible mining practices.
Prior to recycling, Redwood Materials often deploys batteries for second-life applications through its Redwood Energy division. The company is exploring similar opportunities with Caterpillar and other partners to maximize the useful life of battery packs. As Redwood continues to scale its recycling operations and develop new partnerships, the goal remains the same: to build a truly circular battery ecosystem in which materials are sustainably sourced, responsibly managed, and continually reused. Together, Redwood Materials and Caterpillar are advancing the electrification of mining while strengthening the resilience of critical minerals supply chains.
Source: Redwood Materials
