Against the backdrop of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and global geopolitical risks, Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) hosted the "Green Growth Forum" on July 16, focusing on the circular utilization of critical strategic resources. The forum brought together representatives from industry, government, academia, and research institutions to collaboratively explore solutions for establishing a self-sufficient resource recycling system.
The Taiwan Lithium Battery Resource Industry Association highlighted that with the rapid growth of the electric vehicle sector, the volume of waste lithium batteries in Taiwan is projected to exceed 10,000 metric tons by 2030. These "urban mines," rich in precious metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, can be reintegrated into the supply chain through advanced recycling technologies.
Taiwan has taken three important measures: starting from July 2025, lithium batteries weighing over 1 kilogram will be included in the mandatory recycling scope. Then, enterprises that establish independent recycling systems will be provided with rate incentives and focus on six key development areas. These six areas of development include upgrading fire or wet recycling technologies, establishing recycling chains, cascade utilization of retired batteries, diversifying procurement sources, researching and developing green mining technologies, and ESG standards and certification.Experts emphasized that innovative recycling systems not