Every day, batteries power vehicles, telecommunications networks, data centers, agricultural equipment, backup power systems and critical infrastructure across the U.S. and around the world.
On Manufacturing Day 2026, BCI celebrates the workers and facilities that transform critical minerals into the energy storage technologies that keep the global economy moving. With lead now designated a critical mineral alongside other battery materials such as lithium, nickel, tin and antimony, the industry’s role in securing these resources has never been more important.
From recovering valuable battery materials to manufacturing the next generation of energy storage solutions – including lead, lithium, flow and sodium batteries – the industry is helping to strengthen supply chains, support economic growth and enhance energy security. It’s also supporting high-quality jobs at battery manufacturers themselves and at other manufacturers where energy storage is a critical component.
How Critical Minerals Supply U.S. Battery Manufacturing
There is a highly integrated manufacturing and recycling ecosystem behind every battery produced by BCI members. This energy storage supply chain begins with a reliable supply of critical minerals and battery materials.
Reliable supply chains are the foundation of manufacturing. According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, the U.S. depends heavily on imports for many minerals essential to modern manufacturing, including those in the battery industry. This reality has elevated the importance of supply chain resilience and recovery systems that can provide manufacturers with the materials needed to meet growing demand.
Policymakers have taken notice. In November 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey designated lead a critical mineral, and a July 30 Presidential Determination now controls the export of recoverable critical battery minerals such as lead.
The lead battery industry’s circular economy is one of the most successful examples of a critical mineral recovery system. BCI’s 2026 U.S. Recycling Rate Study confirmed that lead batteries are America’s most recycled consumer product, with 98% of spent lead batteries available for collection in the U.S. were recycled from 2020 to 2024 – with the long-term recycling rate remaining above 99%
Through a North American network of retailers, collectors, recyclers and manufacturers, used battery materials are transformed into new batteries. Including recyclers in Canada and Mexico, the North American system meets more than 83% of regional lead demand.
This system serves as a model of circularity for all battery chemistries. Furthermore, the battery industry’s leadership extends beyond North America. The Lead Battery 360° certification program, which promotes responsible production and raw material sourcing, now includes 10 participating facilities around the globe and is raising standards for the entire globe.
A proven closed-loop supply chain recovers and processes critical materials – including lead, tin and antimony – and feeds them back to domestic battery manufacturers. The benefits include:
• Reduced reliance on concentrated or unreliable foreign sources
• A more resilient supply chain
• A stronger North American manufacturing base
• More certainty for businesses and their workers
The Economic Impact of the U.S. Battery Industry
Battery manufacturing and recycling are significant contributors to the U.S. economy and critical enablers of American industry. A 2025 study by EBP US, based on 2023 industry data, found the domestic lead battery industry supports more than 106,000 American jobs and contributes approximately $35 billion in total economic output.
More broadly, domestically produced batteries of all chemistries help power more than $10 trillion in U.S. economic output and more than 54 million jobs – roughly one in four American jobs – as well as the infrastructure that keeps the American economy moving.
That impact is growing. Demand for reliable energy storage is rising with the rapid buildout of data centers and AI infrastructure, and a 2026 BCI-CRU market report projects 4.5% annual growth in North American industrial lead battery sales through 2028.
Public policies that support domestic manufacturing are vital to protecting America’s battery supply chain and domestic manufacturers. Among the most important is the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, which has catalyzed billions of dollars in domestic investment in battery production, strengthening supply chains and supporting high-quality manufacturing jobs across the country.
BCI strongly supports legislation from Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) that would extend 45X eligibility to lead and all other USGS-designated critical minerals. As global competition for battery manufacturing and critical minerals intensifies, policies like 45X help ensure the U.S. remains a leader in energy storage technology.
Given its proven results, protecting 45X should remain a priority as an effective way to support battery manufacturing and critical mineral supply chains.
Why Battery Manufacturing Matters on Manufacturing Day 2026
As America looks to the future, battery manufacturing – for lead batteries and a diverse mix of technologies – will remain essential.
On Manufacturing Day 2026, BCI proudly celebrates the people transforming critical minerals into essential energy storage technologies that power countless applications across the American economy and around the world. Policymakers can help sustain that success by protecting the tools that are working, from 45X to a closed-loop recycling system that keeps critical minerals in North America.
