IEA Expects Critical Minerals Recycling Rates to Approach 20% by 2040

Published: Jul 20, 2026 09:25

Save

The IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 projects that average recycling rates for key energy minerals could rise from around 10% today to nearly 20% by 2040. Copper and cobalt already have relatively established recycling streams, with further improvements expected through better collection, sorting and processing systems.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

10 hours ago

Foshan Huahong Copper Pipe & Tube, Leading Guangdong Manufacturer, Announces Closure

On August 21, Foshan Huahong Copper Pipe & Tube Co., Ltd., located in Shishan Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City, announced the cessation of its operations. The company was established in 2004 with a registered capital of 150 million RMB, and was once a leading enterprise in the Foshan refrigeration copper pipe & tube industry. It was also listed among the top 500 manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong Province and was recognized as a provincial high-tech enterprise.

10 hours ago

11 hours ago

Kailida looks forward to meeting you at the 2026 SMM (3rd) South China Nonferrous Metals Annual Conference

11 hours ago

12 hours ago

LME ratio of cancelled warrants increased significantly

According to the latest LME inventory data, on August 21, total LME copper inventories were 240,250 mt; registered warrants were 118,875 mt, a decrease of 29.49% from the previous trading day; cancelled warrants were 121,375 mt, an increase of 73.45% from the previous trading day; the cancelled ratio surged by 21.19 percentage points to 50.52%.

12 hours ago