As the volume of used power batteries in China continues to increase these years, the lithium-ion battery recycling industry has been expanding rapidly, with significant advancements in its processes. In response, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China newly issued a draft document of the Requirements of Industry Standards for the Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries for New Energy Vehicles (2024 Version) to further regulate this sector. This new draft sets higher standards for the repurposing and recycling of waste EV power batteries, compared with the one issued in 2019.
Source: Mysteel
General Principles
2019 Version
- Repurposing refers to the process of inspecting, classifying, disassembling, repairing, or reassembling waste power storage batteries into repurposing products, making them suitable for use in other fields.
- Recycling Utilization refers to the process of disassembling, crushing, sorting, repairing, or smelting waste power storage batteries for resource recovery.
2024 Version
- Repurposing refers to the process of inspecting, classifying, disassembling, and reassembling waste power batteries to produce repurposing that meet standards, making them suitable for use in other fields.
- Recycling Utilization refers to the process of disassembling, crushing, sorting, repairing, or smelting waste power batteries for resource recovery.
Enterprise Positioning and Project Location
(2024 Version) New Requirements:
Enterprises should be situated in development zones, industrial parks, or industrial areas as required, and the type of construction land should be industrial land (except for new industrial land). Enterprises that are operational or under construction but do not meet these requirements should relocate within 2 years.
Comprehensive Utilization Capacity
2019 Version
- Land use procedures must be legitimate (with a lease contract of no less than 15 years).
- Enterprises should meet traceability management requirements for the recycling and utilization of EV power storage batteries, including having traceability information systems, coding recognition facilities, and equipment.
2024 Version
- Land use procedures must be legitimate (if the land is leased, the lease contract must have a remaining term of at least 10 years).
- Enterprises engaging in EV power batteries comprehensive utilization businesses should establish robust traceability systems, ensure compliance with information-based traceability requirements, and promptly upload accurate data to the National EV Monitoring and Management--Traction Battery Recycling and Traceability Platform.
(2024 Version) New Requirements:
- A dedicated storage area for waste power batteries must be established, equipped with safety protection facilities such as infrared thermal imaging monitoring and smoke alarms.
- Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the proper recycling and regulated disposal of solid waste generated during the process.
- An energy-saving assessment of the project should be conducted in accordance with the Measures for the Energy Conservation Examination of Fixed-Asset Investment Projects 2023. An energy consumption assessment system should also be established, with the necessary energy (electricity, natural gas, water, etc.) metering devices provided.
- Annual expenses for research and development and process improvement should not be less than 3% of the revenue from the comprehensive utilization of waste power batteries. Enterprises are encouraged to apply for provincial or higher-level independent research institutions, engineering laboratories, technology centers, or high-tech enterprise qualifications.
Repurposing Enterprise Requirements
2019 Version
Enterprises should possess mechanized or automated disassembly equipment for waste power batteries, utilizing non-destructive disassembly processes. Additionally, they should have testing technology and equipment to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of repurposing products.
2024 Version
Enterprises should have technical capabilities for automated battery reassembly and quality testing of repurposing products. Machinery for handling, laser welding, temperature testing, short-circuit testing, and marking should be equipped. Reassembled batteries must undergo quality and safety testing to meet legal and regulatory standards.
(2024 Version) New Requirements:
- The source of waste power batteries must be verified to ensure that batteries used for repurposing purpose are retired EV power batteries.
- Enterprises should have the technical capability to test power battery performance, including charge-discharge, voltage, resistance, and non-destructive condition assessment, as specified in Recovery of traction battery used in electric vehicle--Repurposing--Part 3: Repurposing use requirement (GB/T 34015.3).
- Repurposing products should be re-coded according to Coding Regulation for Automotive Traction Battery (GB/T 34014), and the original battery codes retained. Labels should be compliant with Recovery of traction battery used in electric vehicle--Repurposing--Part 4: Labels for repurposing battery products (GB/T 34015.4) and be affixed in prominent positions.
- Enterprise should possess key technology or invention patents related to major products, or hold more than three utility model patents. The annual echelon volume should be at least 60% of the recovered battery weight (utilization and recovery are calculated by weight).
- Enterprises should provide warranty and after-sales services for repurposing products, including protection, monitoring, maintenance, and recycling guidelines in the product documentation.
- Enterprises are responsible for comprehensive management of repurposing products and should establish an online platform--either independently or in collaboration with users--to monitor operations and flow.
Recycling Enterprise Requirements
(2024 Version) Added Requirements:
- Enterprises should have a mechanized platform for the safe disassembly of waste power batteries, equipped with devices for discharging, automated crushing, and sorting, following Recovery of traction battery used in electric vehicle--Recycling--Part 3: Specification for discharging (GB/T 33598.3) and Recycling of traction battery used in electric vehicle Specifications for secondary cell disassembly (QC/T 1156). If the enterprise possesses live processing technology, it may operate under safe conditions.
- Recycling enterprises should be capable of processing waste lithium-ion batteries from electric bicycles.
- Copper and aluminium recovery rates should be no less than 98%, with electrode powder recovery after crushing and separation also at 98%, and impurities in aluminium and copper below 1%. Lithium recovery during smelting should be no less than 90%, with nickel, cobalt, and manganese no less than 98%. Recovery of rare earth and other valuable metals should not be less than 97%, fluorine solidification should exceed 99.5%, and lithium carbonate production should consume less than 2,200 kg of standard coal per tonne. Recovered materials should comprise at least 99% of the target materials in the battery.
Product Quality
(2024 Version) New Requirements:
- Repurposing products must comply with relevant laws, regulations, and standards in application fields. They should undergo inspection by qualified testing institutions and obtain the necessary certifications or approvals. Repurposing products are prohibited from being used in electric bicycles. Enterprises are encouraged to adopt higher technical standards than those set by national or industry benchmarks.
- Recycled products must meet national and industry standards and be certified by qualified testing institutions.
Safety and Occupational Health
(2024 Version) New Requirements:
Enterprises must ensure that their working environment complies with the Hygienic standards for the Design of industrial enterprises (GBZ 1), Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the Workplace--Part 1: Chemical hazardous agents (GBZ 2.1), and Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace--Part 2: Physical agents (GBZ 2.2).
Supervision and Management
A new chapter on supervision and management has been added, primarily based on the Interim Measures for the Administration of the Announcement of Industry Standards for the Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries for New Energy Vehicles (2019 Version).
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
Edited by Aggie Hu, huchenying@mysteel.com
