The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) announced that starting from July 30, it will establish a systematic foundation to promote the recycling and utilization of used batteries and will operate a “Secondary Battery Recycling Support Group” (Support Group) to support the related industries from a lifecycle perspective.

The operation of this Support Group has been established to further strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s industry, which is leading the global secondary battery market. 

The secondary battery industry in Korea is in urgent need of diversifying and localizing its raw material supply chains due to its high dependence on overseas core minerals and materials. In addition, major countries abroad, including the European Union (EU), are strengthening various environmental regulations related to used batteries, such as mandating the use of recycled materials.

As a result, it has become urgent for Korea to establish legislation, system, and infrastructure for the recycling and utilization of used batteries and the development of the industry, which is why a dedicated organization has been newly established within the Ministry. 

The Support Group will operate as a direct organization under the Resources Circulation Bureau of the Ministry and will be responsible for follow-up actions related to the ‘Legislation, System, and Infrastructure Development Plan for Promoting the Used Battery Industry,’ which was announced at the Economic Ministers’ Meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok on July 10. 

The Support Group’s key functions include establishing a certification system for recycled materials and creating a recycling system for lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) to support the recycling and utilization of secondary batteries in the industry.

In addition, policies related to the resource circulation of future waste materials that are closely associated with secondary batteries, such as discarded electrical and electronic products and solar panel waste, will also be promoted.

Yoo Seung-kwang, Director General of Resources Circulation Bureau and Head of the Support Group, stated, “As the world competes to transition to a circular economy, we are entering an era where recycled materials are valued more than natural minerals as raw materials for secondary batteries.” He added, “We will actively support the recycling and utilization of used batteries from an industrial perspective, based on the fundamental resolution of safety and environmental issues, to foster the secondary battery industry, which is a future growth sector.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com