A resilient North American battery supply chain is critical to national security, economic strength, and infrastructure reliability. As global disruptions highlight the risks of foreign dependence, domestic manufacturing, recycling, and materials processing ensure the U.S. has secure access to the energy storage technologies it needs.
North America’s battery supply chain is a model of resilience and reliability. Backed by decades of investment, skilled labor, and regional coordination, this infrastructure supports national security, powers critical industries, and strengthens energy independence.
From recycling to manufacturing to distribution, each link in the chain is designed for continuity and adaptability. This ensures vital systems – from transportation and defense to utilities and communications – stay powered even during global disruptions.
See the battery supply chain in action across the continent. Our Interactive Member Map showcases the extensive network of battery infrastructure throughout North America, from recyclers and component suppliers to manufacturers and service providers.
Discover facilities near you and learn how these critical operations support local economies, power essential applications, and strengthen energy and national security.
Today, lead battery manufacturing capacity alone exceeds 206 GWh across North America, including 165 GWh in the United States. The region is home to 45 lead battery manufacturing facilities, 37 of them in the U.S., contributing to a secure, stable domestic supply chain and reducing reliance on imported technologies.
By strengthening this manufacturing base, North America is positioned to meet growing energy storage demands while enhancing national and economic security.
Reliable access to critical battery materials, including lead, lithium, and antimony, is central to U.S. national security and industrial strength. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and global trade disruptions have exposed the risks of overreliance on foreign sources, especially for materials dominated by limited international suppliers.
To address these risks, the North American battery industry is advancing a circular economy, an approach that reuses materials, reduces waste, and reinforces domestic supply chains. Lead batteries are a model for this circularity, with a 99% recycling rate and over 80% of new lead battery materials typically coming from recycled sources. This high-efficiency loop significantly reduces the need for raw material imports and supports sustainable growth.
In today’s environment, where legislation and federal priorities increasingly focus on reshoring supply chains and securing critical minerals, expanding circular processes across battery chemistries is essential. Investing in domestic recycling infrastructure and end-of-life recovery ensures that critical materials like antimony, used in alloys for batteries and electronics, remain within reach of U.S. manufacturers.
A circular battery economy isn’t just environmentally responsible, it’s a strategic necessity.
“Maintaining a strong domestic industrial base for U.S. battery supply chains is critical to the American economy, as well as national security.”
A stable, domestic battery supply chain is more than an economic asset; it is a national security priority. More than 85% of domestic lead battery demand is met through North American recycling, demonstrating a proven model for material self-sufficiency that other battery chemistries are working to replicate.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has highlighted the need to strengthen critical materials supply chains to support defense-related technologies. In 2024, the DOD awarded $12.9 million to expand domestic production of battery components and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. This effort complements the broader identification of 258 strategic and critical materials that are vital to U.S. interests.
Lead batteries operate within a closed-loop system where sourcing, manufacturing, and recycling all take place largely within North America. This domestic infrastructure helps ensure consistent power for the systems Americans rely on every day, including:
Defense and emergency response operations
Utility and energy storage systems
Hospitals and public safety services
Freight and passenger transportation
Communications and data networks
Grid support during outages and extreme weather
While other battery technologies strive to build similar resilience, lead batteries continue to play a vital role in supporting critical infrastructure and national preparedness.
Our one-pager fact sheet provides a quick overview of how batteries are sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled across the region.
Explore key stats and insights on:
Domestic manufacturing and recycling capacity
Critical materials and circularity
Economic and energy security benefits
Supply chain resilience and infrastructure
Whether you’re a policymaker, stakeholder, or industry observer, this fact sheet is your go-to resource for understanding how the battery supply chain supports essential sectors across the U.S. and beyond.
The North American battery industry operates on a foundation of established facilities, skilled workforce, and streamlined logistics, allowing it to deliver batteries quickly and reliably across the continent. This operational readiness ensures critical sectors can access the power they need without delay.
From manufacturing lines to recycling centers, the industry continuously optimizes production and distribution processes to meet fluctuations in demand.
This agility supports timely responses to emergencies, market shifts, and evolving technology requirements.
By maintaining strong coordination across the supply chain, North America’s battery industry stands ready today to support essential infrastructure and keep the economy moving forward.
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