The Ellen MacArthur Foundation welcomes Chinese company CATL as the first renewable technology leader to its Network as a Strategic Partner. As the world’s foremost producer of batteries for both electric vehicles and energy storage systems, CATL's expertise will be key to establishing a truly circular battery industry and driving the circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. of the wider energy transition.
Sourcing critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements is set to become one of the most significant economic challenges of the 21st century. The rapid growth of renewable energyrenewable energyEnergy derived from resources that are not depleted on timescales relevant to the economy, i.e. not geological timescales. and electrification offers a unique chance to build circular value chains from the ground up.
Batteries, a cornerstone of the energy transition, highlight the need to decouple the finite nature of raw materials from growth. Today, substantial volumes of these materials already exist within the economy. By embracing a circular economy, businesses can recover valuable resources from first-wave technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs), rather than discarding them.
Leading industry players recognise the need to move beyond the ‘take-make-waste’ model, but turning this commitment into reality is complex. Yet, with EV sales now outpacing combustion engines in China, the market is reaching a tipping point.
Approaches for a circular battery economy are emerging in regions like Europe and Asia. However, the critical task of aligning global efforts, and establishing a robust circular system is only just beginning.
Looking ahead, the Foundation will work with CATL to map the circular economy opportunity for the entire battery value chain and build an ecosystem of cross-industrial partners to develop and implement a blueprint for battery circularity.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and CATL teams at the Foundation's annual Network event.
