https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0707/c95952-20475161.html

The European Patent Office (EPO), headquartered in Munich, Germany, held an award ceremony in Berlin on the 2nd and announced the winners of the 2026 European Inventor Award. Chinese inventors Yu Haijun and Xie Yinghao were recognized for their invention in smart battery recycling and won the 2026 European Inventor Award (Non-EPO Member States category) as well as the “Popular Award” for this year’s event.

According to the EPO official website, Yu and Xie developed a “reverse positioning” technology aimed at recycling used lithium-ion batteries. This technology allows used batteries to be directly regenerated into high-performance cathode materials and used in the production of new batteries. It can efficiently recover important materials such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium, and is suitable for large-scale industrial use.

Both inventors belong to Guangdong Bangpu Circular Technology Co., Ltd. in China. In a press release from the EPO, Yu said, “This award shows that smart battery recycling technology is highly valued. This technology can significantly reduce mineral resource consumption and carbon emissions. This honor belongs to the entire R&D team and to all colleagues working toward a green, low-carbon world. We will continue to promote battery recycling, enhance technical cooperation between China and Europe in the new energy field, and jointly build a sustainable energy future.”

The European Inventor Award is one of the most prestigious innovation awards in Europe, established by the European Patent Office in 2006. It aims to recognize individuals and teams who provide solutions to the most pressing challenges of modern society. This year, groundbreaking achievements in fields such as food chemistry, energy, biotechnology, and environmental technology were particularly highlighted.