CAMEL (Camel Group Co., Ltd.), a well-known player in the lead battery industry, ranks third in China’s overall lead battery sector (after Tianneng at No.1 and Chaowei at No.2). However, in the automotive battery segment, CAMEL firmly holds the No.1 position. During the International Battery Recycling Conference held in Ningbo, China, on August 14–15, we spoke with Ms. Yang Feng, who is responsible for recycling at CAMEL.

Before diving into the conversation, here is a brief overview of CAMEL.

CAMEL is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and was founded in 1980, making it a long-established manufacturer. The company is one of China’s major suppliers of batteries, with core business areas including low-voltage batteries, energy storage, lead recycling, and waste battery recycling. It also produces lithium-ion batteries (NCM-based).

Its automotive low-voltage battery portfolio includes both lead-acid and lithium batteries. The former covers starter batteries, batteries for start-stop vehicles, auxiliary batteries for new energy vehicles, and parking air-conditioner batteries for commercial vehicles. The latter includes 12V auxiliary batteries for new energy vehicles, 24V parking air-conditioner batteries, 48V batteries for start-stop vehicles and backup power, as well as stationary power supplies.

In 2023, CAMEL’s production capacity for lead-acid batteries reached about 35 million KVAH per year in China and 5 million KVAH per year overseas. Its recycling and processing capacity for used lead-acid batteries stood at 860,000 tons per year. In practice, however, the actual volume handled is around 500,000 tons.

The company owns several automotive battery brands, including “Camel,” “Huazhong,” “Tian’e (Swan),” “DF,” and “Camel” (international).

Ms. Yang Feng, who oversees recycling at CAMEL, is responsible not only for lead batteries but also for lithium-ion battery recycling. Regarding business with Japan, she expressed particular interest:

“We would like to purchase bullion from Japan. From our side, we would like to sell lead alloy and also import black mass.”

She also mentioned that CAMEL is conducting research on plastics recycling and would like to learn from Japan’s recycling technologies if opportunities arise.

Although CAMEL is a major company, the fierce competition in the Chinese market is putting pressure on its profitability.

(Photo: Ms. Yang Feng of CAMEL with interviewer Tanamachi, in Ningbo)

(IRuniverse YT)

Related articles