Recycled Lead Global Market Report 2024

The recycled lead market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $16.95 billion in 2023 to $17.39 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. The increase observed in the historical period can be attributed to factors such as the heightened demand for lead-acid batteries, the implementation of closed-loop recycling systems, an increase in the availability of scrap lead, fluctuations in lead prices and economic factors, and government incentives promoting recycling initiatives.

The recycled lead market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $19.55 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the transition to electric vehicles, the implementation of circular economy initiatives, stricter regulations concerning e-waste, infrastructure development projects, and a shift towards sustainable manufacturing practices. Significant trends expected during the forecast period include advancements in lead battery recycling technologies, the development of technological solutions for lead recovery, increased collaborations and partnerships within the industry, and the establishment of lead pollution reduction targets.

The anticipated growth in the recycled lead market is expected to be propelled by the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicles, powered by electric motors using energy stored in rechargeable batteries, utilize recycled lead batteries to minimize environmental impact. This practice helps reduce the consumption of raw materials, conserve energy, and prevent improper disposal of hazardous waste. In September 2022, the International Energy Agency reported that global electric vehicle sales doubled from the previous year in 2021, reaching a record high of 6.6 million units compared to 2020, resulting in a total of 16.5 million electric cars on the road. Consequently, the surging demand for electric vehicles is a driving force behind the growth of the recycled lead market.

The anticipated growth of the recycled lead market is further fueled by the increasing demand for metal recycling. Metal recycling involves the process of utilizing waste metal to produce new metal, contributing to sustainable resource utilization. Many regions have established regulations for handling and disposing of hazardous materials such as lead. Recycling lead aligns with these laws, providing a controlled and environmentally responsible method for managing lead-containing items at the end of their life cycle. For example, according to BIR Facts & Figures, steel scrap used for steelmaking in the US increased from 50.2 million tonnes in 2020 to 59.4 million tonnes in 2021. Hence, the rising demand for metal recycling is a significant driver of the recycled lead market's growth.

Key companies in the lead recycling market are directing their efforts toward the development of new lead recycling facilities with advanced solutions to meet market demands. A lead recycling facility is designed to collect, process, and recycle lead-acid batteries, extracting valuable materials and minimizing waste. In March 2022, Chloride Metals, a subsidiary of Exide Industries, initiated commercial production at India's fourth lead battery recycling factory. This facility expands the company's lead-acid battery recycling capabilities, reinforcing its market position and contributing to long-term lead-acid battery management and environmental conservation.

The launch of innovative lead recycling plants is a prominent trend gaining traction in the lead recycling market. Major companies in lead recycling are introducing state-of-the-art battery recycling plants to maintain their market positions. For instance, in January 2021, the Volkswagen Group, a Germany-based automotive manufacturer, inaugurated its first battery recycling facility in Salzgitter, Germany. The primary objective is to achieve a long-term recycling rate exceeding 90% by industrializing the recovery of valuable raw materials, such as lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt, in a closed loop with aluminum, copper, and plastics.

In December 2022, ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based steel manufacturing company, acquired Riwald Recycling for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables ArcelorMittal to expand its metal recycling business portfolio and align with its goals of reducing carbon intensity. Riwald Recycling, based in the Netherlands, specializes in recycling ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including lead.

Major companies operating in the recycled lead market report are Glencore PLC, Johnson Controls International PLC, Teck Resources Limited, Korea Zinc Company Ltd., Boliden AB, Clarios LLC, Yuguang Gold Lead Co. Ltd., EnerSys Delaware Inc., East Penn Manufacturing Company Inc., Exide Industries Limited, The Doe Run Resources Corporation, Terrapure Environmental Ltd., Gravita India Ltd., Gopher Resource LLC, RSR Corporation, Recylex S.A., Eco-Bat Technologies Ltd., Cohen Recycling, Metalex Products Ltd., Sirmet SAS, Azor Ambiental S.A., Engitec Technologies S.p.A, Mayco Industries Inc., C & M Metals Inc., ACE Green Recycling Inc., Mayer Alloys Corporation, Aqua Metals Inc., STC S.r.l., Recieder S.L., Termar S.r.l.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the recycled lead market in 2023. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the recycled lead market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the recycled lead market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The primary product types of recycled lead include soft or pure lead, lead alloys, and lead oxides. Lead alloys are formed by combining lead with other metals to enhance specific properties, such as hardness, strength, or corrosion resistance. These recycled lead products find various applications in lead-acid batteries, the production of pigments and other compounds, radiation shielding, manufacturing rolls and extruded products, among other uses. Industries such as energy, transportation, data centers, electronics, construction, healthcare, and others utilize these recycled lead materials.

The recycled lead market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides recycled lead market statistics, including recycled lead industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a recycled lead market share, detailed recycled lead market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the recycled lead industry. This recycled lead market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The recycled lead market consists of sales of recycled lead ingots, recycled lead shots, and recycled lead alloys. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.