[7.23 Lithium Battery News] New Method for Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Recycling of Lithium-ion Batteries Emerges | Zimbabwe's Lithium Ore Exports Increase in H1

[Zimbabwe's Lithium Ore Exports Up 30% in H1]According to Mining.com, official statistics from Zimbabwe show that despite sluggish international lithium prices, the country's spodumene concentrate exports rose 30% YoY in H1 2025. On Monday, Reuters obtained statistical reports from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) indicating that this African lithium-producing leader exported 586,197 mt of lithium concentrates in H1, compared with 451,824 mt during the same period last year.

[New High-Efficiency Eco-Friendly Recycling Method for Lithium-Ion Batteries Developed]Scientists have taken a crucial step in sustainable energy technology. A research team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the US developed a scalable, high-efficiency and eco-friendly recycling process for lithium-ion batteries, with findings published in the latest issue of Energy Storage Materials. Traditional recycling methods exhibit low efficiency in processing nickel-depleted cathode mixtures from spent lithium-ion batteries, relying on energy-intensive processes that yield limited-value materials. The new technology overcomes these challenges, recovering over 92% of key metals like nickel, cobalt and manganese while converting them into high-performance cathode powder. Test data show batteries made with this regenerated material perform exceptionally: commercial pouch battery tests maintained 88% capacity after 500 charge/discharge cycles, with over 85% retention after 900 cycles. (Cailian Press)

[Hunan Yuneng Plans 950 Million Yuan Investment for 90,000 mt Lithium Battery Cathode Material Project in Malaysia]Hunan Yuneng (301358.SZ) announced that its board approved on July 22, 2025, establishing an investment company in Singapore, which will then set up a project company in Malaysia to build an annual 90,000 mt lithium battery cathode material project. The total investment amounts to approximately 560 million Malaysian ringgit (about 950 million yuan). (Cailian Press)

[Farasis Energy Secures GAC Group Designation]Farasis Energy (688567.SH) announced receiving GAC Group's "Designated Development Notice" for certain car model parts, selecting the company to develop and supply battery pack assemblies. According to customer sales forecasts and arrangements, supply will commence within this year. The project's car model adopts LFP power batteries designed based on the SPS super pouch power battery solution. This designation notice signifies further market recognition of the company's SPS battery products. ((CLS)

[Li Auto: Cumulative Number of Li Auto Supercharging Stations Exceeds 2,900] Li Auto: In the 29th week of 2025, 28 new Li Auto supercharging stations were launched, bringing the cumulative total to over 2,900. During 7.14-7.20, 2025, a total of 28 Li Auto supercharging stations commenced operations, located in Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Henan, Sichuan, Shandong, Hunan, Hubei, and Guizhou.

[EU to Mandate Rental Companies to Purchase Only EVs from 2030] The EU is reportedly set to enforce a ban on car rental companies and large enterprises purchasing non-electric vehicles for their fleets starting in 2030. The European Commission is drafting a plan to implement this prohibition.

[Qinghai’s Virtual Power Plant Construction and Operation Management Plan: Encouraging Business Innovation] The Qinghai Energy Bureau issued a public notice soliciting opinions on the "Qinghai Virtual Power Plant Construction and Operation Management Plan (Draft for Comments)." The document specifies the launch of pilot virtual power plant projects. Following the principle of "pilot first, then promotion," typical industries, unique resources, and representative industrial parks (counties) will be selected to support the pilot construction of virtual power plants in areas such as battery swapping facilities, distributed wind power, communication base station battery packs, and user-side ESS (PV). These initiatives will advance the participation of virtual power plants in medium and long-term electricity markets, spot markets, auxiliary services, and demand response across multiple scenarios and stages, enhancing the stability of market organization and platform functionality while gradually expanding the aggregated resource scale of virtual power plants. Virtual power plants are encouraged to innovate in business models, offering integrated energy services such as energy efficiency solutions, energy system design, and carbon trading-related services to diversify revenue streams. (CLS)