Closed-Loop EV Batteries

Closed-loop EV batteries are advancing circular manufacturing as General Motors and Cirba Solutions complete a pilot that returns critical minerals from end-of-life EV batteries to new vehicles. Used GM battery packs were processed into black mass before the recovered materials were refined into cathode active material containing 100% recycled nickel, cobalt, and manganese. New cells containing the recycled materials were assembled into battery packs, with the first resulting EVs now rolling off GM production lines.

The closed-loop process demonstrates how recovered battery minerals can meet performance requirements for new EV cells rather than leaving the automotive supply chain. For automakers and battery manufacturers, recycling valuable materials back into production could reduce reliance on newly mined resources while strengthening domestic access to critical minerals. Expanding this model could also create new opportunities for recyclers as growing volumes of EV batteries reach end of life.