CATL Joins OEMs to Develop Recyclable Battery Framework

CATL, major OEMs and technology partners have launched the Global Energy Circular Economy Alliance to create shared standards for battery reuse, recycling and circular design. For recyclers, the initiative signals growing pressure for clearer battery diagnostics, disassembly rules, state-of-health data and lifecycle assessment as EV volumes increase.

EV battery pack components showing the need for circular design, diagnostics and recycling standards. — Image credit: Shutterstock

Battery manufacturer CATL has joined BMW, Renault, Volvo, Google, Xiaomi and other partners to launch the Global Energy Circular Economy Alliance, a new initiative aimed at developing common standards for battery reuse, recycling and circular design.

The alliance was formally launched in London during London Climate Action Week, with coordination led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. CATL is taking a central role as the main battery industry participant, working alongside vehicle manufacturers and technology companies to help shape future rules for battery design, recovery, diagnostics and supply-chain responsibility.

The move builds on the Global Energy Circularity Commitment, launched more than a year ago by CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to support a more circular battery economy. Speaking about that initiative at IAA last year, Jiang Li said: “To make circularity real at scale, the industry needs clear standards and aligned policy and financial frameworks. With more partners joining us, we are working together to build an ecosystem that makes batteries more resilient, secure, and sustainable for the decades ahead.”

The new alliance will focus on scaling circular business models across the battery value chain. According to CATL, this includes developing common assessment standards for battery usage history, state of health, degradation and recycling responsibilities. The aim is to give vehicle manufacturers, logistics companies, investors and policymakers a more consistent basis for assessing battery value, lifecycle risk and future recovery potential.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation will provide the collaboration platform for the alliance, bringing together stakeholders across the supply chain and supporting the development of shared standards and best practice.

The alliance’s first major project will be a common framework for the battery circular economy. Its Battery Circular Design Guide is scheduled for publication in 2027 and is expected to set out standardised criteria for diagnostic cell testing, easier battery pack disassembly and cell refurbishment. The partners also plan to define technical parameters to support structural assessments of battery-electric passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

For OEMs, fleet operators and recyclers, the work could become increasingly important as battery-electric vehicles enter larger second-life, repair and end-of-life flows. Residual values remain a major challenge for the EV market, and clearer standards for battery condition, design and lifecycle assessment could help reduce uncertainty while improving reuse and recycling outcomes.

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