Rivian and Redwood Materials Expand Recycling Program
The two companies are broadening their partnership to recycle battery scrap and end-of-life battery packs nationwide.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Rivian and Redwood Materials have expanded their existing partnership to include the collection and recycling of used battery packs from Rivian service centers. The initiative focuses on recovering valuable minerals to support a sustainable supply chain for electric vehicles.
Why it matters
This collaboration aims to improve grid reliability and create cost-efficient energy storage solutions by repurposing retired batteries. It highlights the growing importance of circular supply chains in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Redwood Materials recovers lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper at rates exceeding 95 percent. The effort includes repurposing battery packs for energy storage at Rivian's manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, which has a 10 MWh capacity.
The players
Rivian
Rivian is an American automotive manufacturer known for producing electric trucks and SUVs at its facility in Normal, Illinois.
Redwood Materials
Redwood Materials is a battery recycling and circular supply chain company founded to recover critical minerals from electric vehicle components.
The details
Redwood Materials collects end-of-life battery packs through the nationwide network of Rivian service centers. Each collected unit undergoes an evaluation process to determine if it can be repurposed for energy storage or if it should be processed to extract raw minerals.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: The expansion of the battery recycling partnership is announced.
April 2026: The original partnership project deployment was first announced.
Roadmap
This recycling initiative aligns with the broader industry shift toward closed-loop manufacturing for electric vehicles to reduce reliance on virgin mining. It positions Rivian to better manage its long-term battery lifecycle costs compared to competitors currently lacking integrated recycling channels.
This program ensures that batteries from Rivian service centers are handled through a high-efficiency recovery process rather than going to landfills. Drivers benefit from a more sustainable service model that supports the ongoing transition to renewable energy storage on the grid.
The takeaway
Advancements in battery recycling are becoming a critical component of the electric vehicle ownership experience. Drivers can contribute to this cycle by returning end-of-life packs to authorized service centers.
Further reading
For more on how manufacturers are evolving their supply chains, see our Electric Vehicles section.
Live Poll
Do you believe domestic battery recycling programs should be a priority for the energy transition?
