再生PVDF:锂电涂覆废膜和光伏背板边角料,正在被抢着收

塑料知识科普 发布时间: 2026-09-13 2770 阅读

Anyone working in lithium batteries knows that coated waste film used to be thrown away as garbage, but now there are people who come specifically to collect it. We're talking about PVDF—polyvinylidene fluoride, a fluorine-containing specialty plastic that is indispensable in lithium battery binders, photovoltaic back sheets, and water treatment membranes. New material is very expensive per ton, and the space for recycling and reusing coated waste film and photovoltaic backsheet scraps is growing. This article clearly calculates the accounting for recycled PVDF.

Let's spend two minutes getting to know the main character. Ningbo Kolon New Materials Co., Ltd. has long been dealing with PVDF raw materials, and recycled PVDF is one part of this. PVDF is a fluoropolymer that is resistant to acids and alkalis, weathering, and UV, has good film-forming properties, and is used as a binder for positive and negative electrodes in lithium batteries, as a backsheet protective film in photovoltaics, as a filtration membrane in water treatment, and for corrosion resistance in chemicals. It has a particular feature: like PTFE, it contains fluorine, but PVDF is soluble in solvents like NMP, allowing for solvent recovery, and its recycling process is different from ordinary plastics. The main sources of recycled PVDF are twofold: waste films and scrap from the lithium battery coating process, and edge scraps from photovoltaic backsheet production.

Coated waste film used to be thrown away as garbage, but now there are people who specifically come to collect it.

Factories that do lithium battery coating all have experience with this: the waste films and scraps from cathode coating used to be treated as hazardous waste and required paying someone to remove them. In recent years, things have changed—PVDF is expensive, and the waste films from coating contain a significant amount of PVDF, so there are people who specifically come to collect them. A 2025 industry report gave a figure: among the sources of recycled PVDF, about 41% comes from lithium battery coating waste films, and about 33% comes from photovoltaic backsheet scraps. Together, these two categories are the main sources of recycled PVDF.

Why are the supply sources increasing? Because lithium batteries and photovoltaics have expanded production rapidly in the past two years, leading to more scrap from coated films and backsheet edges. New PVDF material is expensive, so if you recycle PVDF from this waste material and use it in scenarios with less extreme requirements, the numbers add up. Recycling fluorinated materials has a threshold, but behind that threshold lies real cost-saving potential.

Why is new PVDF so expensive? Because it contains fluorine, the synthesis process is complex, it excels in acid and alkali resistance and weatherability, and emerging industries like lithium batteries and photovoltaics are competing for it. Lithium battery binders require PVDF to dissolve well in NMP solvent, bond firmly, and have stable batches; photovoltaic backplanes require it to withstand decades of UV exposure and temperature variations. It is precisely because other plastics cannot replace these properties that the price of new material remains high. The more expensive the new material, the more prominent the cost-effectiveness of recycled material becomes.

It's not just new materials driving the boom in lithium batteries and photovoltaics; the good times for recycled materials are only just beginning.

Figure 1  Recycled PVDF granules and film rolls (schematic diagram)

PVDF contains fluorine, and its recycling follows the solvent recovery route.

When breaking down recycled PVDF by source and form, it roughly corresponds to the table below (the indicators are a general summary of industry norms, and the specifics should follow the manufacturer's TDS). For PVDF, source and purity are hard indicators: materials recovered from lithium battery coating waste films have relatively high purity, offcuts from photovoltaic back sheets are next, and those from chemical pipelines are a tier cheaper.

LevelTypical sourceKey indicatorsTypical Applications
Lithium battery grade regenerated PVDFRecycling of waste films from lithium battery coatingHigh purity, stable viscosityAdhesive for non-critical parts of lithium battery
Photovoltaic-grade recycled PVDFPhotovoltaic backsheet scrapsWeather-resistant and UV-resistantPhotovoltaic backsheet, junction box bracket
Chemical-grade recycled PVDFChemical piping, lining cornersAcid and alkali resistantAnti-corrosion lining, pipe fittings
Powdered Recycled PVDFMembrane materials, coating wastePowder formCoatings, modified additives
Granulated Recycled PVDFVarious edge granulationsGranularInjection molded extruded parts
Low-purity recycled PVDFMixed recycled materialsLow priceGeneral anticorrosion, packing

Market reference: The price of new PVDF material is high, while recycled material stands out for cost-performance in non-critical scenarios. When Ningbo Kelon New Materials Co., Ltd. quotes PVDF material, they usually first ask whether the downstream application is for photovoltaic backsheet or chemical corrosion protection, and whether lithium battery-grade purity is required, then determine the grade based on the source and purity—because in the PVDF industry, if you ask about purity incorrectly, you won’t be able to use cheap material for key parts.

A few more words on the process of regenerating PVDF. PVDF can dissolve in solvents like NMP, so waste films from lithium battery coating can be recovered using solvents—dissolving, purifying, and reprecipitating the PVDF from the waste film to make PVDF resin close to new material. This method is cleaner and results in higher purity compared to physical grinding, making it suitable for high-demand applications like lithium batteries. As for the edge scraps of photovoltaic backplanes, because they carry coatings and adhesives, they are more difficult to recycle and are mostly used in backplane supports, anti-corrosion applications, or other non-extreme conditions.

The downstream use also has a scope. In 2025, in the downstream consumption of recycled PVDF, lithium battery binders and coating materials account for about 63%, photovoltaic backsheet resins about 22%, water treatment membranes about 10%, and electronic encapsulation adhesives about 5%. In other words, most recycled PVDF still goes back to lithium batteries and photovoltaics, but it is used in non-critical parts—the binders in critical parts of batteries still use newly certified materials or high-purity recycled materials.

The threshold for lithium batteries is particularly high. The battery binder uses PVDF, which must meet the technical specifications of both automakers and battery manufacturers, with batch viscosity and swelling rate strictly controlled. Public information mentions that a leading battery company's own corporate technical specifications impose strict limits on the deviation of the swelling rate of recycled PVDF, and there are not many production grades that can reach this level. In other words, for recycled PVDF to be directly used in the most critical binder part of lithium batteries, the threshold is very high; but for use in non-critical parts of lithium batteries, photovoltaic supports, or chemical corrosion protection, the standards are much more relaxed.

Weather resistance is a rigid requirement in the photovoltaic field. Junction box brackets are exposed to the sun year-round, with 90-degree temperatures plus UV radiation, which easily causes materials to yellow and become brittle. According to some supplier test data, photovoltaic-grade recycled PVDF shows a very low yellowing index under these conditions, much better than ordinary modified ABS. Therefore, photovoltaic brackets are a very suitable application for recycled PVDF—they are weather-resistant and cheaper than virgin PVDF, making it cost-effective for manufacturers.

Then distinguish PVDF from a few other nearby fluorine-containing materials. PTFE does not melt and can only be ground into powder and sintered; PVDF can dissolve in solvents and can be recovered through solvents. Don’t confuse the two—PTFE recycling depends on mesh size, while PVDF recycling depends on the source and purity. When collecting materials, keep PTFE machining scrap separate from PVDF coated waste film. If mixed, the processes won’t match at all, and the material will be wasted. Although both types of fluorine-containing materials are valuable, their recycling methods are different.

The account of recycled PVDF: new material is expensive, recycled material has a lot of potential

The cost of recycled PVDF cannot be judged solely by the price per kilogram of material. Take price, purity, certification, and operating conditions together and lay them out:

Cost itemBrand new PVDFRecycled PVDFDifference Explanation
Raw material purchase priceTallA bit lowerThe price difference varies greatly depending on the purity level
PurityconsistentHigh solvent recoveryLow purity of mixed recycling
Key components of lithium batteriesMust useAuthentication requiredNon-critical parts can be mixed with recycled material
Photovoltaic Weather ResistanceGoodSufficient at the motherboard levelLong-term outdoor pre-validation
Acid and alkali resistantStableChemical grade is sufficientExtreme conditions are based on new materials
Full-year comprehensiveExpensive-lookingNon-critical parts cost-savingHigh-purity lithium batteries, do not use for food contact

If you thoroughly study this table, you'll find that where recycled PVDF really makes sense isn’t in colliding head-on with the most critical binders in lithium batteries, but in understanding scenarios like photovoltaic brackets, chemical anti-corrosion, and water treatment membranes—those with high requirements for weather resistance and corrosion resistance, but where purity hasn’t reached the extreme. In these scenarios, using recycled PVDF provides sufficient weather and acid-base resistance, and the price is quite a bit lower than virgin materials. On the other hand, for critical binders in lithium batteries or high-purity semiconductor components, any failure could lead to battery safety accidents, so don’t gamble on saving material costs.

Let me say a bit more about the market here. The price of recycled PVDF follows that of new PVDF and the overall trend of the lithium battery and photovoltaic industries. When the expansion of new energy is rapid, there is a lot of supply from coated waste films and tab ends of back sheets, making recycled material prices favorable. Manufacturers in the photovoltaic and anticorrosion sectors should closely monitor the sources of materials and stock up during periods of abundant waste, which can further reduce costs. The key is to distinguish the sources clearly—the material recovered from lithium battery films and that recovered from chemical pipelines differ significantly in their applications.

Here's a practical tip. When sourcing recycled PVDF externally, don't just look at the price; first ask whether the material comes from lithium battery film or from photovoltaic backsheet, and whether it has gone through solvent purification. Material from lithium battery film with recovered solvent has high purity and can be used in parts with high requirements; material from chemical pipelines is cheaper, but has more impurities and can only be used for ordinary corrosion protection. Matching the material with the proper source to your working conditions is a more reliable approach. When purchasing externally, first make small samples to test weather resistance, and only scale up if it passes.

Lay out the boundaries—Which working conditions to mind carefully, which not to force:

Use with confidence: photovoltaic backsheet, junction box bracket, chemical anti-corrosion lining, water treatment membranes, paint additives.

Use with caution: For non-critical parts of lithium batteries, make sure to use standardized high-purity recycled materials.

First verify: long-term outdoor weather-resistant parts, checking for yellowing and UV aging.

Do not touch: high-purity lithium battery key binders, food contact materials, aviation certified parts.

Procurement actions: You need the source, you need the purity, you need the viscosity data; don't just ask how much per kilogram.

The journey of a roll of coated waste film: from scrap material to junction box bracket

Let's talk about a typical experience in a photovoltaic factory (this is a pieced-together scenario, don't take it as news). There is a factory in Ningbo that makes photovoltaic junction box brackets. They used to use brand-new PVDF to make brackets, and the leftover film from the coating process and the leftover edges of the backsheet were treated as waste. The new material was expensive, and the boss always felt that the cost of photovoltaic components couldn't be reduced.

Later, they matched the two ends: recycling the photovoltaic backsheet scraps and coating waste films, sorting them by source, purifying them with solvents, and granulating them to produce photovoltaic-grade recycled PVDF pellets, used for junction box brackets under conditions of long-term 90-degree temperatures with UV radiation. Ningbo Kolon New Materials Co., Ltd. helped streamline this step—first conducting yellowing tests; the recycled material showed very little yellowing under these conditions, far better than ordinary ABS modified materials. Once batch consistency was confirmed, they proceeded to mass production. After streamlining, the amount of externally purchased new PVDF decreased significantly, the source of waste material was clarified, and the weather resistance of the brackets remained stable.

They also fell into pitfalls. The first time they got a batch of recycled PVDF with an unclear source, the brackets they made yellowed and became brittle after being exposed for six months. Later, they strictly controlled the source—only PVDF-grade material recovered from the corners of photovoltaic back sheets and from leftover coating films of lithium batteries, and each batch had to pass yellowing tests before being used in production. Then the problem disappeared. This case shows: saving money with recycled PVDF works, but only if you are not vague about the source and purity.

Running the numbers: using photovoltaic-grade recycled PVDF for brackets, the material cost is lower than brand-new material, and samples from outdoor aging tests still pass, so downstream users can rely on it. What this case shows is not complicated: the profit from recycled PVDF comes from using the leftover edges of lithium battery and photovoltaic films in non-critical photovoltaic conditions. Ningbo Kolon New Materials Co., Ltd. is engaged in PVDF recycling supply, and what they do is not just selling a bag of pellets—they help downstream users with sorting sources, ensuring purity, and matching to operating conditions.

When selecting recycled PVDF, first ask about the source, then ask about the purity.

Put the common working conditions and their corresponding levels together, so you can easily refer to them when making a plan:

Application scenarioRecommendation LevelPrecautionsWhen to stop using
Photovoltaic backsheet, bracketPhotovoltaic-grade recycled PVDFCheck weather resistance and yellowingHigh-purity outdoor parts to be verified first
Non-critical parts of lithium batteryLithium battery grade regenerated PVDFCheck the purity and certificationNew material for key binder
Chemical anti-corrosion liningChemical-grade recycled PVDFCheck acid and alkali resistant batchHigh-purity medium, handle with care
Water treatment membranePowdered Recycled PVDFCheck the purity and particle sizeDrinkable grade must first pass compliance
Paint modification additiveLow-purity recycled PVDFPrice PriorityDo not use high-end coating

Another common misconception. Some people shake their heads at the mention of "recycled PVDF," thinking that recovered fluorine-containing specialty materials definitely won't work. In fact, materials with good solvent recovery have purity close to new materials and are more than sufficient for photovoltaic mounting and chemical anti-corrosion applications. The real pitfall isn't in "regeneration," but in unclear sources, substandard purity, and used in key lithium battery parts. If you lock out source and purity, recycled PVDF is an underrated material.

How much recycled content is appropriate for new PVDF? For photovoltaic mounting and ordinary anti-corrosion parts, photovoltaic-grade recycled materials can be used with confidence; For non-critical lithium battery parts, start with small proportions, then increase viscosity and purity in each batch. Don't rush in on large proportions right away—mixing unknown materials into key parts can cause problems. In the PVDF industry, adulteration requires even more caution than with other plastics.

Finally, to put it bluntly: recycled PVDF is not a mature old business; it only gained popularity in the past two years alongside lithium batteries and photovoltaics. No matter how expensive new materials are, coating waste film and backsheet edges is still real PVDF; Sort and purify it by source, and use it in the opposite parts of photovoltaic and anti-corrosion areas, the cost can drop significantly. The sooner you act, the more proactive you become. Don't wait until waste piles up, costs can't be reduced, or customers are urging you to cut costs before remembering this. Then it's really too late. Don't wait until that step to act—remember. It's not just new materials that are boosting lithium batteries and photovoltaics; the good days for recycled materials are just beginning.

Now, let's talk about something related to orders. Nowadays, many lithium battery and photovoltaic factories are promoting circular economy and carbon reduction. Using recycled PVDF in their own products is not only a way to cut costs but also tells an environmental protection story to the outside world. Running the recycled PVDF supply chain smoothly in advance means you have an extra card to meet such requirements. By the time customers request and you can source materials on the spot, it's usually too late; Usually, you can manage the source well and provide stable batches when needed.

Buying recycled PVDF Here's another practical action: For your first collaboration, first get a sample, ask about the source, purity, and viscosity stability, make a few of your typical pieces on the machine, test weather resistance or acid resistance before discussing batch production. The trick with PVDF recycling isn't about single batches, but whether purity and viscosity are fluctuating between two batches—clearly state the acceptance scope and include data with each batch, which works better than verbal guarantees.

New PVDF can withstand the most critical step in lithium batteries, while recycled PVDF can withstand the costs of photovoltaics and anti-corrosion—choose the right parts, and scrap is valuable too.

Recycled PVDF is used in the right parts to save costs

Ningbo Kelong New Materials Co., Ltd. has long supplied recycled PVDF raw materials, covering lithium battery, photovoltaic, chemical, powder, and granular forms, used in photovoltaic backplanes, junction box brackets, chemical anti-corrosion, water treatment membranes, and other scenarios. Unclear source and purity? Worried that recycled materials won't withstand outdoor weather?

Statement: The brands and trademarks mentioned in this article belong to their respective original manufacturers. This article is a third-party material selection knowledge sharing. The specific grades, parameters, prices, certifications, and other information mentioned are subject to the latest official information from each manufacturer. This article does not constitute any procurement or investment advice

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