CATL, Automakers and Tech Firms Launch Alliance to Develop Global Battery Circularity Standards

According to industry reports, Battery manufacturer CATL has joined BMW, Renault, Volvo, Google, Xiaomi and other industry partners to establish the Global Energy Circular Economy Alliance (GECEA), an initiative aimed at developing common standards for battery design, reuse and recycling across the global value chain.

The alliance was formally launched during London Climate Action Week and will be coordinated by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. As the only major battery manufacturer among the founding members, CATL is expected to play a leading role in shaping technical standards for battery design, lifecycle assessment and recycling practices alongside automotive and technology companies.

The initiative builds on the Global Energy Circularity Commitment (GECC), launched by CATL and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2024 to promote circular economy principles in the battery industry. The new alliance expands that effort by bringing together battery producers, vehicle manufacturers and technology companies to establish a common framework for battery circularity.

Its initial focus will be on developing standardized methods for assessing battery usage history, state of health, degradation and end-of-life responsibilities. The partners said harmonized criteria would provide automakers, logistics providers, investors and policymakers with a more consistent basis for evaluating battery performance, residual value and operational risks.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation will serve as the collaboration platform for the alliance, supporting technical cooperation and the development of shared best practices across the battery supply chain.

The alliance’s first major deliverable will be the Battery Circular Design Guide, scheduled for release in 2027. The guide is expected to establish common design principles covering battery diagnostics, cell testing, pack disassembly, cell refurbishment and structural assessment methods for both passenger and commercial battery-electric vehicles.

“To make circularity real at scale, the industry needs clear standards and aligned policy and financial frameworks,” Jiang Li of CATL said when introducing the broader circularity initiative last year. “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.”

Growing electric vehicle adoption is increasing demand for consistent approaches to battery reuse and recycling. Industry participants have identified standardized battery health assessments and lifecycle management as key factors in improving residual value estimates, supporting secondary-use applications and strengthening long-term material recovery.

Source: CarNewsChina

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The alliance marks a broader industry effort to establish common battery circularity standards that could improve recyclability, lifecycle management and residual value across the global EV supply chain.