Using lead responsibly is critical to achieving a sustainable and low carbon future
2 billion
Lead is a widely available natural resource with more than 2 billion tonnes of lead ores still in the ground
Lead use is essential for many important products which support a sustainable future from hybrid and electric vehicles to renewable energy storage
60%
Lead is the world’s most recycled metal with more than 60% of production originating from end-of-life products
The carrier properties of lead metal make it an efficient enabler of the circular economy. It is used to help recover and recycle other valuable metals such as gallium used in mobile phones and solar panels, to precious metals including silver and gold
95%
Collection and recycling rates typically exceed 95% of lead batteries in many regions
Material stewardship
Our industry is continuously improving, helping ensure that lead is manufactured and used responsibly, minimising any impact on the environment and health.
Material StewardshipRecycling
Lead can be infinitely recycled with no loss of performance. No other metal has such an impressive end-of-life recycling rate.
Lifecycle assessment
Life cycle assessments show that with high recycling rates – including the impressive recycled content of many lead-containing products – the cradle-to-grave environmental footprint of lead is significantly reduced.
Resource availability
Global mineral resources and the circularity of closed-loop recycling mean that lead will be available for centuries to come.