Japan’s Marubeni invests in Li-ion battery recycling

Spanish Market: Battery materials
09/02/23

Japanese trading house Marubeni has invested in US battery management and materials processor Cirba Solutions, aiming to export cathode materials to Japan as part of its decarbonisation efforts.

Marubeni on 9 February announced its $50mn investment in Cirba Solutions, which processes lithium-ion batteries by recycling used batteries. The Japanese firm, along with other investors, plans to expand Cirba Solutions' recycling and production facilities in Ohio by around 2025.

Marubeni's investment will go towards the expansion of Cirba Solutions' facilities to expedite the development of battery-to-battery closed-loop recycling, a waste management practice in which used batteries and manufacturing scraps are recycled to produce new batteries and its materials, according to Marubeni.

Marubeni aims to export cathode materials produced at the facility to Japan, but the "production volume [and therefore export volume] is not yet determined," a Marubeni representative told Argus.

By Yusuke Maekawa

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30/04/26

Export curbs on the rise as governments seek revenue

London, 30 April (Argus) — Export restrictions on critical raw materials — particularly for ores and concentrates — are tightening rapidly worldwide, as governments place greater store in their value as a strategic revenue source, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). There has been a five-fold increase in such restrictions since 2009, OECD research published on 29 April shows, covering significant shares of global supply — up to 70pc of cobalt and manganese exports, 47pc of graphite and 45pc of rare earth elements. Export taxes and licensing requirements remain the most common instruments. But more restrictive measures — such as export bans and quotas — are increasingly common, accounting for over a third of new measures in 2024. Levies on raw materials are particularly important for developing economies with limited alternative revenue streams. Since the early 2010s, these measures had formed part of industrial policy goals, such as securing domestic supply, promoting value addition and supporting downstream sectors. But in 2024, revenue generation drove nearly half of new restrictions — a notable shift. Export restrictions in 2024 were being imposed by a more diverse group of countries than in previous years, especially in Africa and Asia. But five countries — China, India, Argentina, Vietnam and Burundi — account for over half of all new measures introduced since 2009. This shift towards revenue generation has important implications for global supply and market stability, the OECD has warned. By tightening supply and raising price volatility, restrictions risk amplifying market concentration and distortions. International co-operation remains key to boosting investment and ensuring stable, diversified supply, the OECD research concludes. By Cristina Belda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

UK move to delink gas and power ‘overdue’

24/04/26

UK move to delink gas and power ‘overdue’

London, 24 April (Argus) — The UK's decision to raise the electricity windfall tax and push legacy renewable generators onto fixed-price contracts is "overdue" and could boost demand for batteries, industry figures told Argus this week. The government on Tuesday announced plans to offer voluntary long-term fixed-price contracts to low-carbon generators not already on contracts for difference. The plans cover about 30pc of Britain's power supply, while lifting the Electricity Generator Levy to 55pc on revenues above £82/MWh from July. The measures aim to reduce the extent to which global gas price swings feed into household and business electricity bills, rather than directly lowering wholesale prices. Ministers say fixed pricing should shelter consumers when gas prices spike, even if wholesale electricity prices still move. For battery supply chains, that shift matters less for near-term wholesale trading spreads than for demand. More stable electricity prices make electrification easier to plan, finance and justify. Gas has already slipped to setting the UK wholesale electricity price 60pc of the time, down from around 90pc at the start of the decade, the government said. Ministers expect that share to fall further as more generation moves off wholesale-linked pricing. That is particularly important for electric vehicles (EVs) and fleets, said Peter McDonald, director at London-based charging firm Ohme. The policy is designed to dampen the impact of gas-driven volatility on final bills, rather than guarantee cheaper power, he said — a distinction that still matters for consumers weighing monthly costs. "For many consumers sitting on the fence, the monthly cost comparison is the deciding factor," McDonald said. "This could be a meaningful nudge." Andy Palmer, vice-chair of Slovakian battery maker InoBat and former chief executive of British carmaker Aston Martin, said attempts to de-link electricity pricing from international gas markets were "overdue". Britain has spent years telling industry that renewables are the cheapest source of power, while still setting prices using the most expensive generator in the system, Palmer said. Fixing that contradiction is "the single biggest thing government can do" to restore manufacturing competitiveness. Demand signal more important than spreads Lower, more predictable electricity prices could "make the economic case for EV fleets, electric buses and depot-scale storage materially stronger", Palmer added, spurring demand for battery systems. That demand-side pull matters if the UK wants to anchor more of the battery value chain at home, rather than rely on imported cells and packs. The reforms are unlikely to undermine the economics of battery energy storage, even if they trim wholesale price volatility at the margin. In the UK, wholesale arbitrage remains the main revenue source for battery operators, while balancing services are increasingly saturated and longer-duration support schemes do not begin until later in the decade. Large amounts of flexibility are still needed as renewable output grows and increasingly exceeds gas-fired generation, Palmer said, so well-located and optimised storage assets should continue to find revenue. "The risk is execution." Set strike prices too high and consumers overpay; set them too low and investors step back, raising the cost of future projects, Palmer said. It is a tension the government has observed before. Last summer's decision to scrap regional power pricing showed how wary ministers remain of reforms that might unsettle investment signals, even if they promise lower bills. By Chris Welch Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Rio Tinto raises global copper output, cuts lithium

21/04/26

Rio Tinto raises global copper output, cuts lithium

Singapore, 21 April (Argus) — UK-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto raised alumina and copper output in January-March but reported a sharp drop in lithium production due to weather-related disruptions, it said today. Aluminium and alumina Rio Tinto's attributable primary aluminium output in January-March rose by 1pc on the year, but fell by 2pc on the quarter, to 835,000t. The company's alumina production increased by 6pc on the year to 2.04mn t over the same period. Bauxite production fell by 11pc to 13.28mn t, primarily owing to heavy rainfall at Weipa mine in Queensland, Australia, in January and February and cyclone-related shutdowns at Weipa and Gove mine in Northern Territory, Australia, in March. Rio Tinto's recycled aluminium production declined by 8pc on the year to 61,000t. Rio Tinto has kept its 2026 production guidance unchanged for primary aluminium at 3.25mn-3.45mn t, alumina at 7.6mn-8mn t and bauxite at 58mn-61mn t. Copper Rio Tinto's consolidated copper production rose by 9pc from a year earlier to 229,000t in January-March, driven by the continued ramp-up of copper in concentrates output from Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia, which increased by 56pc to 102,000t over the same period. Refined copper output at Escondida in Chile rose by 21pc to 16,000t, while concentrates output declined by 14pc to 77,000t in the first quarter compared with a year earlier. Refined copper production at Kennecott in the US fell by 20pc from a year earlier to 34,000t, owing to lower anode inventories following unplanned smelter maintenance and lower concentrator throughput caused by geotechnical constraints. Drilling has also begun at the Resolution Copper project in Arizona following completion of the land exchange in March. Rio Tinto maintained its full-year copper production guidance at 800,000-870,000t. Lithium Rio Tinto's attributable lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) production fell by 26pc on the year to 12,700t in the first quarter, because heavy rainfall and weather events disrupted operations at its Olaroz and Fenix sites in Argentina. But the continued ramp-up at the Rincón starter plant in Argentina partly offset the production impacts. Rio Tinto maintained its 2026 LCE production guidance at 61,000-64,000t, with first production from Fenix 1B and Sal de Vida on track for the second half of 2026. By Candice Luo Rio Tinto's 1Q26 metals output attributable basis, '000t Production Q1 2026 Q1 2025 y-o-y Q4 2025 Q-o-Q 2026 guidance Iron ore 70,045 62,408 12% 80,515 -13% NA Primary aluminium 835 829 1% 852 -2% 3,250 – 3,450 Alumina 2,038 1,921 6% 1,969 4% 7,600 – 8,000 Bauxite 13,281 14,966 -11% 15,397 -14% 58,000 – 61,000 Copper (consolidated basis) 229 210 9% 240 -5% 800 – 870 Lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) 12.7 17.2 -26% 15.4 -18% 61 – 64 Source: Rio Tinto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan to boost recycled materials supply

21/04/26

Japan to boost recycled materials supply

Tokyo, 21 April (Argus) — The Japanese government has adopted a circular economy action plan to strengthen recycling of critical minerals, metals and plastics, aiming to expand domestic supply of recycled materials and reduce reliance on overseas resources, it announced today. The plan targets around ¥1 trillion ($7bn) in combined public and private investment by 2030, as Tokyo seeks to enhance economic security and industrial competitiveness. The government positions the shift to a circular economy as an urgent national priority that goes beyond environmental protection. In the metals sector, the plan sets targets for recycled material supply by 2030. It aims for recycled aluminium to account for around 40pc of domestic production of rolled aluminium products. Recycled sources are expected to make up about 30pc of domestically produced electrolytic copper, while around 30pc of materials used in rare earth-based permanent magnets will be supplied through recycling. For steel, the government will expand the availability of high-grade scrap used as feedstock for "green steel", which is produced with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Processing capacity to produce such high-quality scrap will be increased by around 2mn t/yr, while collection of scrap and industrial offcuts will also be strengthened. In plastics, Japan will promote the use of recycled materials to reduce dependence on imported feedstocks such as crude oil and naphtha. The government will require manufacturers to formulate and report usage plans, and will consider phased mandates on recycled content by the 2028 fiscal year. The plan also calls for strengthening recycling infrastructure, including investment in facilities and the development of AI-based sorting technologies to improve quality and reduce costs. It includes support for recycling hubs, networks, and processing, storage and smelting capacity. The move comes on the back of intensifying global competition for resources. Countries are increasingly seeking to secure not only primary resources but also recycled materials. China has tightened export controls on critical minerals while strengthening domestic recycling, and the EU has introduced stricter rules on exports of electronic scrap and expanded the use of recycled plastics. In rare earth supply chains, export controls by certain countries have raised concerns over supply stability, prompting Japan to accelerate efforts to secure domestic resources. The government will incorporate the plan into its upcoming growth strategy and basic policy on economic and fiscal management to be released this summer. By Fumito Nagase Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico EV sales rise 22pc in 1Q

17/04/26

Mexico EV sales rise 22pc in 1Q

Mexico City, 17 April (Argus) — Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Mexico rose by 22pc year-on-year to 25,003 units in the first quarter, according to EV industry group EMA, though the slowing expansion seen late last year extended into early 2026. Sales grew from 20,560 units a year earlier, but were 27pc below the 28,315 units sold in the fourth quarter of 2025. Despite remaining in double-digit territory, Mexico's EV market, like others in Latin America, is beginning to cool as it moves beyond early adopters. EMA head Eugenio Grandio cited "challenges, volatility and uncertainty caused by geopolitical and trade conflicts." But "the reality that more and more Mexicans are adopting vehicles with new technologies is undeniable," Grandio added. The figures include battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and range-extended electric vehicles (REEV). By category, PHEV sales led growth, rising by 31pc from a year earlier to 14,617 units in the first quarter, though this was 4pc fewer units than sold in the fourth quarter of 2025. BEV sales rose by 10pc to 10,340 units but fell by 32pc from the previous quarter. REEV sales totaled 46 units in the first quarter. This compares with 167 units in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 427 units for full-year 2025. Charging infrastructure expanded alongside sales. EMA reported the public charging network grew by 25pc in the first quarter from a year prior, with 4,378 slots installed, and charging centers expanding by 19pc to 1,663 nationwide. Residential charging sites grew by 21pc to 44,042 installations in the first quarter, while corporate operated slots rose by 56pc to 9,291 and slots operated by agencies grew by 90pc to 1,891. EMA added that fast-charging locations expanded by 14pc from the first quarter of 2025, with the number of slots rising by nearly 25pc. By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Japan’s Marubeni invests in Li-ion battery recycling

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