# The Carbon Copy: Get ready for the battery recycling boom

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2022-07-07
- Length: 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom

## Summary

Julian Spector, a senior reporter at Canary Media, discusses the surge in battery recycling investment driven by geopolitical instability and commodity price spikes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He highlights startups like Redwood Materials, Ascend Elements, and Li-Cycle, which are raising hundreds of millions to build circular supply chains for lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Spector explains that while mining new minerals is slow and carbon-intensive, recycling offers a secure, domestic source of critical materials, turning an environmental challenge into an economic and national security imperative.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom#t=0) Introduction: The Carbon Copy and Battery Recycling Context
- [2:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom#t=142) Commodity Spikes: Nickel and Lithium Prices Post-Ukraine Invasion
- [4:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom#t=273) Recycling as National Security and Domestic Supply Strategy
- [7:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom#t=442) Canary Media's Recycling Week and Industry Challenges
- [14:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom#t=873) Startup Funding: Redwood Materials, Ascend Elements, and Li-Cycle
- [18:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-07-07-the-carbon-copy-get-ready-for-the-battery-recycling-boom#t=1096) Consequences of Failed Recycling and Environmental Impact

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Canary Media (company)
- Redwood Materials (company)
- Ascend Elements (company)
- Li-Cycle (company)
- Energy Hub (company)
- Bloom Energy (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electric Car Superiority | The Supply Chain is All Mine | Cookies for Calculus](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-07-10-electric-car-superiority-the-supply-chain-is-all-mine-cookies-for-calculus) (EE Times Current)
- [Turning the E-Waste Stream Into a National Asset w/ Matt Bedingfield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-07-21-turning-the-e-waste-stream-into-a-national-asset-w-matt-bedingfield) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [From the Battlefield to the Supply Chain: A Marine’s Mission to Secure Critical Minerals with Ian Killough, President of Ridgeline Elements](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2025-02-10-from-the-battlefield-to-the-supply-chain-a-marines-mission-to-secure-critical-mi) (Tough Tech Vets)
- [510: The Secret Chip](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-19-510-the-secret-chip) (Embedded.fm)
- [274: The Auto Rescue, Critical Minerals, and Moving Manufacturing Forward with Representative Haley Stevens](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-10-274-the-auto-rescue-critical-minerals-and-moving-manufacturing-forward-with-repr) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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