China's power battery industry expands into robotics and aviation

The Chinese power battery and circular economy sectors are undergoing significant shifts in application and technology. At the 2026 World Power Battery Conference in Yibin, industry experts noted that battery applications are expanding beyond electric vehicles into humanoid robots, low-altitude economy (eVTOLs), and marine vessels. While China maintains a dominant global market share, with lithium-ion battery shipments projected to exceed 1800GWh in 2025, the industry is pivoting toward AI-integrated manufacturing and diverse energy scenarios.

Technological expectations are also recalibrating. While solid-state batteries remain a major focus, industry sentiment regarding their mass commercialization timeline has become more cautious and realistic. Meanwhile, sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction as a supplementary power source.

Complementing these technological shifts, the CRRE Resource Recycling Conference and Exhibition will host a “Circular Factory Tour” in the Yangtze River Delta in November 2026. This initiative aims to showcase the full lifecycle of the circular economy, including the recycling of photovoltaic panels, lithium batteries, and decommissioned wind turbine blades, connecting policymakers and investors directly with industrial practices.