Held on April 29, 2025, the International Roundtable on Automotive Recycling (IRT) hosted an essential and timely webinar titled “Powering the Future: Maximizing Value and Sustainability in EV Battery Recovery.” Moderated by Steve Fletcher, Managing Director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada, and Haydn Davies from Auto Recycling World, the event brought together prominent figures in EV battery recycling: Emil Nusbaum, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the Automotive Recyclers Association(ARA), and Hans Eric Melin, Managing Director of Circular Energy Storage. The dialogue highlighted the shifting landscape of electric vehicle (EV) battery recovery and the emerging role of automotive recyclers in the circular economy.
Steve Fletcher opened the webinar by acknowledging the growing importance of understanding the value of EV batteries and how the global auto dismantling community must engage with this opportunity. He introduced the two keynote speakers and outlined the goals: to share insights on EV battery reuse, repurposing, and recycling strategies and examine how recyclers can adapt to evolving regulatory and economic pressures.
Emil Nusbaum began by presenting the ARA’s ‘Battery Material Use Hierarchy’, developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. This framework prioritizes the reuse of batteries in their original form, followed by repair, repurposing, and, only then, recycling for material recovery. He emphasised that this model mirrors traditional auto recycling practices, maximizing the value of every vehicle component before final disposal. The hierarchy has gained influence in shaping U.S. state-level battery policy and was incorporated into several legislative proposals across the country.
Nusbaum discussed the risks posed by shifting policies that could exclude dismantlers from the EV battery lifecycle. He cited examples where talks suggested salvage auctions should remove batteries before reselling vehicles, a move that would diminish recyclers’ access to high-value components. He also warned of the “straight-to-shred” mindset, where end-of-life batteries are prematurely funneled into recycling without evaluating their potential for reuse or repurposing.
Training and safety were also focal points. ARA has invested in industry training programs to equip members with the knowledge and tools to handle high-voltage batteries safely. This is not just a technical requirement, but a strategic move to assert recyclers’ legitimacy in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. Nusbaum also spoke of the need for diagnostic tools and transparency in battery data, which is critical for assessing a battery’s remaining value and condition before deciding its fate.
Following Nusbaum, Hans Eric Melin presented a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of global battery flows, life expectancy, reuse economics, and recycling infrastructure. Drawing from years of research and tracking over 300 worldwide reuse and recycling companies, Melin outlined the complex dynamics of battery value over time. He demonstrated that while EV battery volumes are increasing, most are still in use, and actual end-of-life volumes remain low compared to new production. He also highlighted that battery reuse typically provides higher returns than material recovery, but this varies widely by model and geography.
Melin examined battery pricing trends, showing that while the value of used batteries has decreased, it remains above the value of materials recovered through recycling. He explained how supply-demand fluctuations, overstocked inventory, and the introduction of newer battery models influence market behaviour. One striking point was the limited volume of batteries that truly reach end-of-life; many of today’s recoverable batteries are still operational or are exported to countries with high EV demand.
Export dynamics featured prominently. Melin discussed how significant numbers of end-of-life EVs are being sold to markets like Ukraine and the Middle East, where they are repaired and resold. While this provides economic value, it complicates domestic material recovery strategies. This raised the question of whether this trend hinders North America’s ability to develop a domestic supply of recovered critical minerals.
A core insight from both presenters was the importance of strategic participation in shaping policy. Nusbaum shared how ARA’s involvement ensured that reuse and repurposing were included in nearly all U.S. state bills, avoiding a purely recycling-focused approach. Melin echoed the need for proactive engagement, especially given the growing competition between reuse, recycling, and export channels.
The session concluded with a robust Q&A session, covering logistics, policy implications, diagnostic needs, and market development. Steve Fletcher reflected on the “rollercoaster” nature of the industry, balancing opportunity with uncertainty. He emphasized that recyclers must remain informed, agile, and collaborative. The speakers agreed that dismantlers have a unique opportunity to lead in sustainable battery management, provided they actively pursue partnerships, embrace innovation, and stay at the forefront of regulatory discussions.
The IRT webinar highlighted both the challenges and the immense potential in EV battery recovery. By bringing together industry leaders and data-driven insights, the session illuminated a viable, market-driven path toward a sustainable and valuable end-of-life battery ecosystem, with auto recyclers at its core.
View the webinar below:
To view previous IRT webinars, please go to https://www.irt-autorecycling.org/webinar/
This article originally appeared in Auto Recycling World.