On December 20, 2024, the founding conference of the Wuhan Lithium Battery Recycling Industry Alliance is hosted in Wuhan. The event was guided by the Management Committee of Wuhan Yangtze New Area and Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, and organized by the Wuhan New Energy Vehicle Industry Association. GEM subsidiary, Wuhan Battery Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. ("Battery Recycling"), was appointed as the chair unit and co-organizer. Over 40 enterprises and institutions participated in the conference.

The inaugural members of the alliance include companies spanning the entire supply chain: new energy vehicle manufacturers, battery producers, sales and operation enterprises for new energy vehicles, battery operation companies, second-life battery utilization enterprises, recycling firms, battery logistics providers, and research institutions.

Group Photo of Leaders and Guests Attending the Wuhan Lithium Battery Recycling Industry Alliance Event

Zhang Junyong, Standing Committee Member of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Yangtze New Area Party Working Committee, attended the event and delivered a speech. He emphasized the need for collaboration across the industry value chain to enhance the overall competitiveness of Wuhan’s lithium battery recycling sector and achieve technological breakthroughs. Zhang proposed three strategic directions:

• Benchmark against leading cities like Chengdu and Shenzhen to strengthen Wuhan's policy support for the recycling of end-of-life power batteries.

• Address the lack of unified standards for second-life battery applications, focusing on areas like commercial and industrial energy storage, construction machinery, and municipal lighting, while engaging cautious potential users.

• Accelerate research into intelligent, safe, and precise recycling and dismantling technologies to meet high standards for safety, efficiency, and scalability in end-of-life power battery recycling.

Zhang Junyong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Yangtze River New Area, Delivers a Speech

Ming Wenlong, Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, highlighted in his speech that the momentum of the industry is shifting from policy- and investment-driven to market- and technology-driven. He called on the alliance to establish a robust platform for industrial development, regularly organize activities, and promote collaboration along the supply chain. He urged members to enhance information exchange, connect supply and demand, and unify efforts to build an integrated and coordinated industry chain.

Mr. Ming Wenlong, Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, Delivers an Address

Dr. Zhang Yuping, Vice President of GEM and Chairman of Battery Recycling, delivered a speech as the representative of the chair unit. He emphasized that the establishment of the alliance is a forward-looking step aligned with national and industry needs, positioning Wuhan as a leader in the field. Dr. Zhang proposed two key initiatives:

• Shared Development: Leverage the alliance platform to share demands, products, and services among members, fostering mutual learning and growth to achieve collective success.

• Global Vision: Collaborate across the industry chain to streamline material and financial flows, aiming for seamless integration and global competitiveness. The alliance should expand from Wuhan to the global stage through practical cooperation.

Dr. Zhang also relayed GEM’s advocacy for strengthening information traceability, raising green thresholds, and promoting industry regulation through legal responsibilities and enhanced supervision measures.

Dr. Zhang Yuping, Chairman of Wuhan Power Battery Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., Delivers a Speech as the Representative of the Chairman Unit

Zhang Junyong and Dr. Zhang Yuping jointly unveiled the plaque for the Wuhan Lithium Battery Recycling Industry Alliance. Key members of the alliance signed the Industry Self-Regulation Convention to formalize their commitment to ethical practices and sustainable development.

Inauguration Ceremony of the Wuhan Lithium Battery Recycling Industry Alliance

Chairman Unit Awarding Ceremony

Signing Ceremony of the "Industry Self-Discipline Convention Initiative"

The alliance aims to establish a public platform for resources, technology, and industrial collaboration in Wuhan’s lithium battery recycling sector. It will drive academia-industry partnerships, facilitate technology transfer, and promote information sharing among members, including market, technical, and policy updates. This initiative is expected to provide tailored services to enterprises and support the healthy and sustainable development of Wuhan’s lithium battery recycling industry.

The conference was attended by leaders from the Management Committee of Wuhan Yangtze New Area, Wuhan Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Wuhan Municipal Market Supervision Bureau, Wuhan Supply and Marketing Cooperative, district-level economic departments, and representatives of alliance member units.