Enablers for the successful development of a circular recycling value chain for electric vehicle batteries

• Analyzes enablers for advancing the electric vehicle battery recycling industry. • Applies grey-DEMATEL to assess interrelations from a multi-regional perspective. • Ecosystem development and regulatory consistency as key enablers in Europe and the US. • Economic viability and secondary market design to sustain growth in China. • Strategic implications for industry and policy to advance battery recycling. Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is surging, heightening tensions between critical material demand and resource conservation. Circular battery recycling has emerged as a key principle among industry stakeholders, addressing strategic needs for resource efficiency, material procurement diversification, and supply chain resilience. However, the transition from global to domestic supply chains and rising geopolitical uncertainties increasingly challenge corporate decision-making. This study aims to create a comprehensive understanding of enabler impact relations for EV battery recycling using a comparative, multi-regional perspective across Europe, the United States, and China. We apply the grey-DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method to systematically examine cause-and-effect relationships based on structured industry expert-elicitation data. Results indicate that ecosystem development, public-private collaboration, regulatory consistency, and capital accessibility are the most critical enablers. The insights provide an empirical basis to inform management and policy discussions on implementing effective measures for advancing the battery recycling industry and thus enhancing resource productivity.