1000万吨蜂拥而至！中科院博士撬动千亿电池回收市场

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the urgent need for efficient recycling solutions for the rapidly increasing volume of discarded lithium batteries, particularly in the context of the booming electric vehicle market. It highlights the challenges and opportunities in the battery recycling industry, focusing on the company BOCUI Recycling and its innovative approaches to address these issues [3][4][5]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The volume of retired lithium batteries in China is projected to reach approximately 500,000 tons by 2030, contributing to a global total of 10 million tons [4]. - In 2024, the estimated amount of discarded batteries in Shanghai alone could reach 400,000 tons, indicating significant pressure on recycling systems [3]. - The global battery recycling market is expected to reach a scale of hundreds of billions by 2030 [7]. Group 2: Company Profile - BOCUI Recycling - Founded in 2019, BOCUI Recycling specializes in providing technology solutions for the recycling of new energy batteries and has secured several rounds of financing totaling hundreds of millions of RMB from notable investors [5][6]. - The company adopts a "light asset" operational model, focusing on providing recycling technology solutions rather than building its own recycling facilities [7][23]. - BOCUI's technology boasts a recovery rate of over 99% for key metals like nickel and cobalt, significantly higher than the industry average of 85%-90% [25]. Group 3: Market Strategy - BOCUI Recycling has shifted its focus to overseas markets, particularly in Europe, where battery recycling capacity is still scarce, and demand is increasing due to regulatory changes [13][18]. - The company has established over 50 projects in 15 countries, with overseas clients outnumbering domestic ones [7][15]. - BOCUI's strategy involves identifying specific needs in the overseas market and providing tailored technical solutions, leveraging its strong R&D capabilities [15][19]. Group 4: Technological Innovations - BOCUI has developed a new recycling technology called "Nickel-Cobalt Co-Extraction," which reduces the extraction process from four steps to two, achieving a 30% cost reduction while maintaining high recovery rates [25][27]. - The company is also exploring the production of new battery cathode materials directly from recycled metals, addressing a gap in the market for local processing capabilities [27]. Group 5: Challenges and Future Outlook - The company faces challenges in expanding into the European market, including lengthy project cycles and regulatory hurdles related to environmental assessments [17][20]. - BOCUI aims to support the local recycling of Chinese-manufactured lithium batteries in key markets, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships to navigate regulatory landscapes [19][21]. - The company is preparing for the anticipated surge in battery waste by developing comprehensive recycling solutions and infrastructure [22][26].