Lithium batteries are expected to reach a production figure of 9.2 million units within the next eight years.
In the rapidly evolving world of electrified transportation, the disposal of lithium batteries in Italy is becoming an increasingly significant issue. As the number of electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, and other electrified applications grows, so does the volume of spent lithium-ion batteries.
According to estimates, for 2024, approximately 4.3 million vehicles with lithium batteries will be in circulation in Italy. This includes around 1.35 million mild hybrid and full hybrid cars, 200,000 pure electric cars, 150,000 plug-in hybrid cars, and around 2 million e-bikes. However, the exact number of lithium batteries to be disposed of by 2031 is not explicitly stated in the current data.
The European regulation (2023/1542) mandates the recycling of batteries, and Italy’s e-waste recycling market is projected to reach nearly USD 1.2 billion by 2025. This market could grow beyond USD 4.5 billion by 2034, driven by increased recycling activities, including lithium-ion batteries from EVs.
The global lithium-ion battery recycling market is projected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 17.9% from 2025 to 2035. This reflects anticipated increases in battery disposal and recycling needs in various applications, including electric vehicles, energy storage, and consumer electronics.
The black mass recycling market, which recycles valuable metals from spent lithium batteries, is growing rapidly due to the rise in EVs and regulatory support for battery recycling. Specific to Italy, challenges remain in managing complex battery recycling and ensuring traceability, indicating that investment in infrastructure and disposal capabilities will increase the costs associated with lithium battery disposal through 2031.
Mario Bagna, CEO of Interzero, a consulting company and circular economy services group that handles the collection of end-of-life lithium batteries throughout Italy, stated that Italy is in an embryonic phase for battery treatment but change is beginning to be seen. The study by Interzero highlights the economic aspect of disposing of lithium batteries.
In 2023, 1,287,827 cars equipped with lithium batteries were registered in Italy. As the number of EVs and other electrified vehicles continues to grow, so does the need for efficient and sustainable lithium battery disposal solutions. The recovery rates for cobalt, copper, lead, and nickel are set to increase, with targets of 90% by 2027 and 95% by 2031.
Despite the challenges, the growth of the lithium-ion battery disposal market in Italy is linked to the increasing adoption of EVs and consumer electronics. As recycling technologies evolve to meet rising demand, the costs associated with lithium battery disposal will rise significantly as Italy’s e-waste recycling market (including batteries) grows toward multi-billion USD scale by the early 2030s, with estimated values crossing USD 4.5 billion by 2034.
References:
- European Battery Alliance: www.european-battery-alliance.eu
- Interzero: www.interzero.it
- Global Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Market: www.grandviewresearch.com
- Battery Metals Market: www.alliedmarketresearch.com
- Black Mass Recycling Market: www.marketsandmarkets.com
- The increasing adoption of electric vehicles and the growth in consumer electronics are expected to drive the development of environmental-science and technology-based solutions for efficient and sustainable lithium battery disposal in Italy, as highlighted by the study by Interzero.
- The global black mass recycling market, which specializes in the recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium batteries, is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years, particularly in Italy, due to the rise in the number of electrified vehicles and e-waste, as mandated by the European regulation (2023/1542).
