Battery Recycling Patent Landscape 2026
Battery Recycling Patent Landscape in 2026
Battery recycling patenting is in a Growth stage, with filings more than doubling over the recent multi-year window before easing from a 2023 annual peak; the field is still expanding on a multi-year basis. The Brunp group of entities dominates filing volume, while China anchors the leading jurisdiction, and a widening set of challengers from North America and Europe signals intensifying global competition.
Brunp entities lead a moderately concentrated field with 4,010 patent families in scope
Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. holds the top position with 208 patent families, followed closely by Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. at 201 patent families. Together with Umicore (126 patent families), Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. (97 patent families), and Ascend Elements Inc. (83 patent families), the top five filers account for 33% of the combined total among the hundred largest filers.
The 33% top-five share within the leading-hundred cohort indicates moderate concentration: the Brunp corporate family collectively controls the apex, but the gap between the top tier and challengers such as Green Li-Ion (61 patent families), RSR Technologies (52 patent families), and GRST Singapore (47 patent families) is meaningful without being insurmountable. A long tail of smaller specialists and university applicants further distributes activity.
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 208 | |
| 2 | Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 201 | |
| 3 | Umicore (Belgium) | 126 | |
| 4 | Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 97 | |
| 5 | Ascend Elements Inc. | 83 | |
| 6 | Green Li-Ion Pte. Ltd. | 61 | |
| 7 | RSR Technologies Inc. | 52 | |
| 8 | GRST Singapore Pte. Ltd. | 47 | |
| 9 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 47 | |
| 10 | Aqua Metals Inc. | 45 |
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Li Cycle Corp. | 45 | |
| 12 | 1001297676 Ontario Inc. | 33 | |
| 13 | Hunan Brunp Scrap Cars Recycling Co., Ltd. | 32 | |
| 14 | UMICORE AG & CO KG | 32 | |
| 15 | Regents of the University of California | 32 | |
| 16 | Northvolt Revolt AB | 31 | |
| 17 | Li Industries Inc. | 27 | |
| 18 | POSCO Holdings Inc. | 26 | |
| 19 | Hunan Jinyuan Circular Technology Co., Ltd. | 26 | |
| 20 | CPS Technology Holdings LLC | 26 |
The Brunp entities’ near-parity filing volumes suggest coordinated intra-group IP strategy spanning hydrometallurgical processing, solid-waste handling, and end-of-life EV battery streams. Umicore’s third-place standing reflects a well-established metallurgical recycling platform with particularly deep coverage in metal extraction relative to its total portfolio. Ascend Elements’ presence as a new entrant with strong recent momentum indicates that the competitive frontier is not closed.
Filing counts for 2024 and 2025 are understated due to patent publication lag; apparent softening in those years should not be interpreted as a real-world slowdown. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Multi-year growth of 103% with dominant battery-chemistry coverage and emerging process branches
The filing trend chart tracks annual activity from 2017 onward, while the technology-composition chart reveals how broadly the patent corpus spans chemistry, process engineering, and waste-management disciplines.
Annual filing trend
Filings climbed steeply from 2017 through 2023, reaching a recorded peak in 2023 before the reported counts for 2024 and 2025 appear lower — an expected artifact of publication lag rather than a genuine market retreat. The recent three-year window sits well above the prior three-year window, confirming a 103% growth rate on a multi-year basis. Engineers should treat the last 18–24 months of data as incomplete.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
H01M (batteries, cells and fuel cells) is the dominant class by a wide margin, reflecting the lithium-ion focus of most filers. C22B (metal extraction and refining) is the second-largest branch, underscoring the centrality of hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recovery routes. B09B (solid waste disposal) and B02C (crushing, grinding and pulverising) represent meaningful secondary clusters, pointing to growing attention to upstream mechanical pre-processing. Lower-volume branches such as B01D (separation processes), C01D (alkali-metal compounds), and G01R (electric and magnetic measurement) indicate nascent but potentially valuable adjacent coverage.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Lithium Battery Recycling Method
This disclosure belongs to the field of battery recycling technologies, and specifically, to a battery recycling method. An example battery recycling method is disclosed including: performing split processing on a battery to obtain a metal shell and an electrode assembly, where the electrode assembly includes a roll core or a lamination; and recycling the… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New and improved system for processing various che… | 852 |
| 2 | Secondary battery and battery management | 154 |
| 3 | Methods for electrochemical cell remediation | 138 |
| 4 | Method and apparatus for recycling lithium-ion bat… | 115 |
| 5 | Method and apparatus for recycling lithium-ion bat… | 94 |
| 6 | System and method for removing an electrolyte from… | 91 |
| 7 | Methods for electrochemical cell remediation | 85 |
| 8 | Process for remediation of lead-contaminated soil … | 84 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the competitive structure means for battery recycling R&D investment
Four lenses — maturity, concentration, collaboration, and geography — translate the patent data into actionable R&D context for engineers and strategists.
Growth stage with peak annual volume behind it
The lifecycle evidence classifies battery recycling as a Growth-stage field: the recent three-year filing window sits well above the prior three-year window, representing 103% growth. Annual volume peaked in 2023 and has eased since, though publication lag means the true 2024–2025 level is not yet visible. This stage favors investment in differentiated process positions before the field matures into a consolidation phase.
Growth · post-2023 peakModerate concentration with an active challenger tier
The top five filers hold 33% of the hundred-largest-filer total, indicating that no single entity has locked up the space. The Brunp group controls the top two slots, but Umicore, Ascend Elements, and Green Li-Ion demonstrate that non-Chinese challengers can build meaningful positions. The long tail of academic and startup applicants suggests the field remains open to well-targeted entry.
Top-5 share: 33%Intra-group co-filing dominates; selective academic partnerships emerging
The most active co-filing relationship is between Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. and Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. with 202 joint patent families, followed by Guangdong Brunp and Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. at 97. Outside the Brunp group, Ascend Elements Inc. and Worcester Polytechnic Institute co-filed 7 patent families, illustrating how North American challengers are leveraging university partnerships for process innovation. Li Cycle Corp. and 1001297676 Ontario Inc. show 12 co-filings, reflecting a distinct licensing or subsidiary structure.
Brunp-led co-filing networkChina-dominant filing base; meaningful Western prosecution activity
China is the leading jurisdiction with 2,005 patent records, reflecting both domestic regulatory pressure and the concentration of filers in the Brunp group. The United States (684), EPO (438), and WIPO PCT (392) form a secondary tier, confirming that leading players are prosecuting globally. Canada (137), India (125), South Korea (118), and Australia (110) round out the active prosecution markets, making battery recycling one of the more geographically dispersed energy-transition IP domains.
China leads; US/EP/PCT followGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 202 |
| Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 97 |
| Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 96 |
| Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 36 |
| Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 36 |
| Li Cycle Corp. | 1001297676 Ontario Inc. | 12 |
| Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Yichang Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 8 |
| Ascend Elements Inc. | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 7 |
| Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Yichang Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 6 |
| Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 5 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Brunp entities anchor the top, with Umicore and Ascend Elements as the leading international challengers
The top two positions are held by sister entities within the Brunp corporate family; below them, Umicore and Ascend Elements represent the strongest non-Chinese presences with distinctly different technology emphases.
Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd.
The top-ranked filer with 208 patent families, Guangdong Brunp centers its portfolio on H01M (batteries, cells and fuel cells), C22B (metal extraction and refining), and B09B (solid waste disposal) — a full-cycle coverage spanning chemistry through waste handling. Momentum is strongly positive at +64% in the recent three-year period versus the prior three-year period, and deep co-filing with Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. (202 joint families) reflects coordinated group strategy.
families: 208Umicore
Ranked third with 126 patent families, Umicore shows the strongest recent momentum among established players at +100% growth in the recent period. Its portfolio is differentiated by a comparatively high weight in C22B (metal extraction and refining) and C22B 1 sub-classes, reflecting its heritage in pyrometallurgical and refining processes rather than battery-cell chemistry alone. This positions Umicore as the leading Western incumbent with deep upstream metal-recovery coverage.
families: 126| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 121 | ▲ +64% |
| Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | 120 | ▲ +62% |
| Umicore (Belgium) | 72 | ▲ +100% |
| Hunan Brunp EV Recycling Co., Ltd. | 48 | ▬ -2% |
| Li Cycle Corp. | 29 | ▲ +12% |
| Ascend Elements Inc. | 73 | ▲ new entrant |
| Green Li-Ion Pte. Ltd. | 47 | ▲ 3.6× vs prior 3-yr |
Under-served process and separation branches adjacent to the dominant recycling core
Several IPC classes sit at lower share levels relative to the dominant H01M and C22B clusters. These are observations of relative sparsity within the corpus; those with plausible technical relevance and a realistic entry path are noted accordingly.
B01D · Separation processes (filtration, membrane, solvent extraction)
B01D holds 226 patent records, representing only about 2% of the technology-class distribution, despite separation being a critical step in hydrometallurgical lithium, cobalt, and nickel recovery. Selective membrane filtration and solvent-extraction optimization for black-mass leachates are technically proximate to the dominant C22B work and represent a realistic entry path for process-engineering teams seeking differentiation from the crowded battery-chemistry core.
Search this in Eureka →G01R · Electric and magnetic measurement (state-of-health diagnostics for recycling triage)
G01R accounts for 87 patent records, a relatively sparse share given that automated battery-health triage — determining which cells can be repurposed versus shredded — is a key cost driver in industrial recycling operations. Entry into this branch via machine-learning-assisted state-of-health classification or non-destructive electrochemical impedance methods could complement existing H01M positions and differentiate triage-focused recycling platforms.
Search this in Eureka →How leaders differ across battery chemistry, metal refining, and waste-processing routes
Strength of each leader across the main technology routes.
| Player | H01M 10 · Batteries, cells & fuel cells | C22B 7 · Metal extraction & refining | C22B 26 · Metal extraction & refining | B09B 3 · Solid waste disposal | C22B 3 · Metal extraction & refining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Strong · 205 | Moderate · 43 | Emerging · 24 | Emerging · 41 | Emerging · 17 |
| Umicore (Belgium) | Strong · 132 | Strong · 91 | Moderate · 48 | Absent | Moderate · 59 |
| Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. | Strong · 200 | Moderate · 42 | Emerging · 23 | Emerging · 39 | Emerging · 17 |
| Li Cycle Corp. | Strong · 85 | Strong · 67 | Strong · 51 | Absent | Moderate · 33 |
| Ascend Elements Inc. | Strong · 82 | Moderate · 37 | Moderate · 32 | Emerging · 9 | Moderate · 37 |
| Green Li-Ion Pte. Ltd. | Strong · 60 | Moderate · 23 | Absent | Absent | Strong · 51 |
Frequently asked questions
The analysis covers 4,010 patent families. Filing activity grew by 103% on a multi-year basis, with annual volume peaking in 2023. Counts for 2024 and 2025 are understated due to patent publication lag.
Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. leads with 208 patent families, followed by Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. at 201 patent families. Both entities belong to the same corporate group and co-filed 202 patent families jointly.
China is the leading jurisdiction with 2,005 patent records. The United States (684), EPO (438), and WIPO PCT (392) are the next most active, indicating global prosecution by leading filers.
Battery recycling is classified as a Growth-stage field. The recent three-year filing window is 103% above the prior three-year window. Annual volume has eased from its 2023 peak, but the multi-year trajectory remains upward, and recent-year data is further compressed by publication lag.
H01M (batteries, cells and fuel cells) is the dominant class by a wide margin, followed by C22B (metal extraction and refining), B09B (solid waste disposal), and B02C (crushing, grinding and pulverising). Lower-volume adjacent branches include B01D (separation processes), C01D (alkali-metal compounds), and G01R (electric and magnetic measurement).
Yes. The most active co-filing relationship is between Guangdong Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. and Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. with 202 joint patent families. Ascend Elements Inc. and Worcester Polytechnic Institute co-filed 7 patent families, illustrating university-industry collaboration in North America. Outside the Brunp group, Li Cycle Corp. and 1001297676 Ontario Inc. show 12 co-filings.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from PatSnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
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