The global battery industry saw significant activity between June 26 and June 29, 2026, spanning supply chain reform, large-scale energy storage procurement, upstream materials investment, and market projections for end-of-life battery recycling. Below is a curated roundup of the most relevant developments for battery buyers, sourcing managers, and product engineering teams.
Chinese EV Battery Makers Pledge 60-Day Supplier Payment Terms
On June 29, 2026, major Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturers — including CATL, BYD, CALB, and Sunwoda — formally committed to paying their suppliers within 60 days, according to Reuters and CnEVPost. The pledge is part of an industry-wide initiative aligned with rules issued by Chinese authorities last year requiring large companies to settle most payments within this timeframe.
The initiative mandates cash-based payments, faster inspection cycles, and standardized order-to-settlement procedures designed to protect supplier cash flow. Eleven battery makers have backed the effort, signaling a coordinated move to address financial strain that has accumulated across the supply chain during years of aggressive price competition. For sourcing managers and component suppliers, this development could meaningfully improve working capital predictability when contracting with Chinese cell manufacturers.
EES Europe 2026: Chinese Firms Secure Over 60 GWh in Energy Storage Orders
At EES Europe 2026, held June 23–25 in Munich, Chinese energy storage companies secured a wave of major orders totaling more than 60 GWh, according to EnergyTrend reporting on June 26 and June 29, 2026. Sigenergy announced over 20 GWh in global agreements, anchored by a 5 GWh distribution deal with Energy Spurt for Australia and Asia-Pacific markets, alongside multiple 1–3 GWh contracts across Europe and Africa.
Cornex, Hithium, and other Chinese BESS manufacturers collectively spearheaded 48+ GWh in additional orders during the event, including a 400 MW / 800 MWh utility-scale project agreement with a Northern European partner. The volume of commitments underscores the continued dominance of Chinese energy storage suppliers in global tenders and signals strong demand for containerized BESS solutions across utility, C&I, and residential segments heading into the second half of 2026.
XTC New Energy Plans $64.58M Cathode Material Plant in Malaysia
On June 26, 2026, XTC New Energy Materials announced plans to invest approximately $64.58 million in a joint venture to build a 10,000-tonne lithium-ion cathode material production facility in Malaysia, according to SMM and Mysteel. Construction is scheduled from September 2026 through June 2027.
The Malaysia project is part of a broader trend among Chinese battery materials companies diversifying production capacity outside mainland China to serve international customers and navigate evolving trade regulations. For battery cell manufacturers and pack integrators, expanded cathode material supply from Southeast Asia may provide additional sourcing options and reduce geographic concentration risk in the upstream supply chain.
EV Battery Recycling Market Projected to Reach $19 Billion by 2033
A new market report from Grand View Research, covered by Resource Recycling on June 26, 2026, projects the global EV battery recycling market will grow from an estimated $1.4 billion in 2026 to $19.0 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 45.0%. The projection is driven by rising volumes of end-of-life EV batteries reaching recycling facilities and increasing regulatory mandates for critical mineral recovery.
For battery manufacturers and buyers, this forecast highlights the growing commercial viability of closed-loop supply chains and the strategic importance of designing cells with recyclability in mind. Companies that establish recycling partnerships and material recovery agreements now may secure preferential access to recovered lithium, cobalt, and nickel as volumes scale through the end of the decade.
What This Means for Battery Buyers and Product Teams
The June 29 supplier payment pledge from major Chinese cell makers reduces counterparty risk and may improve negotiating leverage for component suppliers. The 60+ GWh in storage orders signed at EES Europe confirms sustained project-level demand and may influence lead times and pricing for BESS components through the rest of 2026. Upstream, XTC’s Malaysia investment diversifies cathode supply geographically, which is relevant for teams building bills of materials with traceability and tariff considerations in mind. Finally, the recycling market growth trajectory reinforces the business case for engaging with recyclers early — both for compliance and for securing secondary raw materials at competitive rates.
Sources
- Reuters: Chinese EV battery makers pledge to pay suppliers more quickly (June 29, 2026)
- CnEVPost: China pushes battery makers to pay suppliers within 60 days (June 29, 2026)
- EnergyTrend: Over 60 GWh — 24 Chinese Firms Secure a Wave of European Energy Storage Orders (June 29, 2026)
- GlobeNewswire: Sigenergy Secures Over 20 GWh in Global Energy Storage Agreements (June 26, 2026)
- SMM: XTC New Energy Plans 10,000-Ton Cathode Material Project in Malaysia (June 28, 2026)
- Resource Recycling: EV battery recycling market expected to surge (June 26, 2026)
