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- Yu Haijun and Xie Yinghao’s team have developed a patented technology that can recycle various types of retired lithium-ion batteries into high-performance battery materials
- The invention enables targeted recovery and reintegration of key elements, which are then reintroduced into the manufacturing of new batteries, thereby protecting the environment while reducing reliance on primary mining
- The two Chinese inventors have been shortlisted as finalists in the “Non-EPO Member States” category. The final winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Berlin on July 2, 2026
- Public voting for the “Popular Prize” opens today and will continue until the awards ceremony on July 2, 2026
MunichMay 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the rapid growth of global demand for electric vehicles and energy storage, ensuring a sustainable supply of critical battery materials has become a strategic global priority. A new study on battery recycling jointly released by the European Patent Office and the International Energy Agency estimates that by 2030, batteries from approximately 1.2 million electric vehicles will reach the end of their life, a figure expected to rise to 14 million by 2040. Against this backdrop, Yu Haijun and Xie Yinghao have developed a patented recycling technology that can directionally recover reusable NCM materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. For this achievement, the Chinese team has been selected by an independent jury as a finalist in the 2026 European Inventor Award “Non-EPO Member States” category.
Enabling ultra-large-scale industrial recovery of battery materials
Traditional battery recycling methods often break down spent batteries into low-value products or rely on multiple energy-intensive processes. These approaches not only limit recycling efficiency but also diminish the environmental benefits of recycling. Furthermore, the difficulty of directly reapplying recycled materials to the production of new batteries has been a global challenge.
To address this challenge, the Chinese team of Yu Haijun and Xie Yinghao has developed a method called “targeted recycling based on reverse product positioning design.” Unlike breaking batteries down into individual raw elements, this technology directly converts spent batteries and production waste into regenerated cathode materials suitable for manufacturing new batteries. By preserving the functional structure of the materials—including treating aluminum from the cathode as a functional input rather than waste—the method significantly improves efficiency, achieving recovery rates of up to 99.6% for nickel, cobalt, and manganese, reducing carbon emissions by 80% compared to primary mining, and substantially lowering costs. Yu Haijun stated: “With ultra-high recovery rates, excellent material performance, and extremely low processing costs, we are reducing dependence on millions of tons of primary nickel, cobalt, and lithium ore, which is of great significance for sustainable development.”
This technology primarily targets NCM materials in lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in the electric vehicle industry. Through continuous technological iteration, the team has steadily improved the performance, safety, and lifespan of new materials, enabling regenerated materials to meet multiple stringent requirements for automotive applications.
Building a recyclable battery ecosystem
This invention stems from the team’s practical experience in battery manufacturing and waste management. In the early 21st century, the team observed the growing challenge of disposing of spent batteries alongside China’s increasing reliance on imported raw materials. Based on this insight, they joined Brunp Recycling and initiated long-term research centered on large-scale recycling technology.
Subsequently, Yu Haijun led the development of the concept of “reverse product positioning design and targeted recycling technology,” assembling an interdisciplinary team to overcome technical bottlenecks in battery regeneration. After Brunp integrated into the CATL ecosystem, the technology achieved ultra-large-scale industrial application and has entered the global supply chain for major electric vehicle manufacturers.
This recycling technology helps drive the battery economy toward a more circular model. According to the European Commission’s roadmap related to battery regulations, material recovery targets for cobalt, copper, lead, and nickel are planned to increase from 90% in 2027 to 95% in 2031, while lithium recovery targets rise from 50% to 80% over the same period. Against this policy backdrop, more efficient recycling technologies can help key materials circulate perpetually within the new energy industry chain and alleviate pressure on primary resource extraction.
“We are delighted to see cooperation between China and Europe in the new energy industry. In the near future, I believe battery recycling will become an important issue for Europe’s new energy industry and European society as a whole to consider,” said Yu Haijun.
Yu Haijun and Xie Yinghao are two finalists in the “Non-EPO Member States” category of the 2026 European Inventor Award. Other finalists in this category include: Chilean agricultural engineer Aníbal Montalva Rodríguez and architect Miguel Ángel Fernández Donoso, who invented active biofilters capable of improving air quality; and American inventor Emily Morris and German professor Thorsten Stoesser, who invented a modular hydropower system. The European Patent Office will announce the winners at the awards ceremony in Berlin on July 2, 2026, broadcast live (link). In addition to these categories, the “Popular Prize” will be determined by a combination of public and independent jury votes. Public voting opens on May 12, 2026, and will continue until the awards ceremony on July 2, 2026.
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