Charge on as first EV battery recycling plant opens

Hong Kong's first large-scale electric vehicle battery recycling facility officially opened on Thursday.

Located in Tuen Mun's EcoPark, the 100,000-square-foot plant can process up to 10,000 tonnes of batteries, or those from roughly 20,000 cars, a year.

In a video address at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee called it an important step forward for Hong Kong in promoting recycling of resources.

"I mentioned in my Policy Address last year that Hong Kong would be setting up the first large-scale electric vehicle battery recycling facility at the EcoPark. The facility was successfully opened today,” he said.

“It’s the result of collaboration between a well-functioning government and an efficient market.

"It will help not just green industries grow in Hong Kong and improve the renewable resources system but also create job opportunities and enhance overall economic vitality," he said.

Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt will be extracted during the recycling process.

Lee noted the dark, metal-rich powder extracted, called black mass, will then be exported to the mainland and overseas markets, putting Hong Kong in a good position to become a vital cog in the regional supply chain.

Last month, in a reply to a question from DAB lawmaker Gary Chan, officials estimated that Hong Kong would see about 6,700 tonnes of end-of-life EV batteries in 2030, up from around 1,300 tonnes this year.

Edited by Edmond Fong ...