US Department of Energy announces new funding for lithium-ion battery recycling

The US Department of Energy announced on Monday June 12 that it was allocating more than $192 million in new funding for recycling batteries from consumer products

The funding will also help the launch of an advanced battery research and development (R&D) consortium and the continuation of the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize.

“With the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage projected to increase the lithium battery market by as much as ten-fold by 2030, it is essential to invest in sustainable, reduced-cost recycling of consumer batteries in support of a secure, resilient and circular domestic supply chain for critical materials,” the Energy Department said in the statement.

“Today’s announcement supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to have EVs make up half of all vehicle sales in America by 2030 and builds on the nearly $3 billion announced to date from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for EV and battery technologies,” it added.

Supply chain bottlenecks, national security concerns and the move toward electrification has motivated US-based battery recycling companies to work on innovative ways to recycle lithium-ion batteries, while the US government has supported the nascent industry with funding opportunities.

In May 2022, the Energy Department announced $3.1 billion in funding “to make more batteries and components in America, bolster domestic supply chains, create good-paying jobs and help lower costs for families,” with a separate $60 million “to support second-life applications for batteries once used to power EVs, as well as new processes for recycling materials back into the battery supply chain.”

In October, the department announced that 20 companies would receive $2.8 billion to build and expand commercial-scale facilities in 12 states that will extract and process lithium, graphite and other battery materials, as well as manufacture components and “demonstrate new approaches, including manufacturing components from recycled materials.”

Fastmarkets launched weekly payable indicators for black mass – the material result of recycling lithium-ion batteries – in South Korea in May.

The assessments of the black mass, NCM/NCA, payable indicator, cobalt, cif South Korea, % payable Fastmarkets’ standard-grade cobalt price (low-end) and the black mass, NCM/NCA, payable indicator, nickel, cif South Korea, % payable LME Nickel cash official price both increased to 65-72% on June 7, up from 63-68% on May 17.

Want more insights and forecasts for the battery recycling market?

Keep up to date with global market insights and predictions for the battery recycling market with the Fastmarkets NewGen Battery Recycling Outlook.

What to read next
The US aluminium industry is experiencing challenges related to tariffs, which have contributed to higher prices and premiums, raising questions about potential impacts on demand. Alcoa's CEO has noted that sustained high prices could affect the domestic market. While trade agreements might provide some relief, analysts expect premiums to remain elevated in the near term. However, aluminum demand is projected to grow over the long term, supported by the energy transition and clean energy projects. To meet this demand, the industry will need to increase production, restart idle smelters and address factors such as electricity costs and global competition.
The DRC is set to decide on the future of its cobalt export ban on June 22, potentially extending, modifying or ending the policy. Aimed at boosting local refining and value creation, the ban has left global markets uncertain, with stakeholders calling for clarity as cobalt prices fluctuate and concerns over long-term demand grow.
Read Fastmarkets' monthly battery raw materials market update for May 2025, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more
To increase transparency, Fastmarkets has further clarified how it handles price movements during periods of low liquidity. Factors that Fastmarkets may consider during times of low liquidity include, but are not limited to: market fundamentals such as changes in inventory levels, shipments, operating rates and export volumes; relative fundamentals of similar commodities in the same […]
Cobalt Holdings plans to acquire 6,000 tonnes of cobalt. Following their $230M London Stock Exchange listing, this move secures a key cobalt reserve. With the DRC’s export ban affecting prices, the decision reflects shifting industry dynamics
The recent US-China agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs is a major step for global trade, with tariffs on US goods entering China dropping from 125% to 10% and on Chinese goods entering the US decreasing from 145% to 30% starting May 14. While this has boosted markets and created optimism, key industries like autos and steel remain affected, leaving businesses waiting for clearer long-term trade policies.