US export controls on tungsten, battery ‘black mass’ seen pressuring Chinese recyclers
With Washington moving to ensure that tungsten scrap and lithium-ion battery “black mass” stay in the United States, analysts warn that the new restrictions will deprive Chinese refiners of a source of lower-cost feedstock and prompt Beijing to seek alternative supplies. China could also accelerate domestic recycling and use its own export controls on rare earths and magnets as leverage, they…
The United States has imposed export controls on tungsten scrap and lithium-ion battery "black mass" to ensure these materials remain within U.S. borders. This measure is intended to strengthen the country's strategic resource pipeline and deter China from relying on cheaper feedstock. As a result, Chinese refiners could face a shortage of lower-cost materials, potentially prompting Beijing to seek alternative sources and accelerate domestic recycling efforts.
The U.S. ban also targets rare earths, antimony, gallium, and germanium, which could be included in future restrictions. The ban is set to last for one year, but it may take longer for the U.S. to secure sufficient supplies, as it currently lacks the capacity to process tungsten scrap and black mass. Building new refineries could take between two and five years.
The U.S. generated about 6.9 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2025, exporting approximately 1.5 million tonnes. Chinese customs data revealed that the country imported nearly 112,000 tonnes of industrial waste, including lithium-ion battery black mass, from the U.S. in the first seven months of the year, accounting for nearly 10% of its total supplies.
The restrictions might reshape global black-mass supply chains, with domestic companies in the U.S. potentially benefiting from advanced processing capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
